Family before principle

For French mayor Raymond Bardet, a vehement opponent of same-sex marriage, the question pitted parental love against principle. But when asked to officiate at the union of his son and another man a week ago, he did not hesitate. ‘‘It seemed perfectly normal for me to carry out the marriage, even though I still don’t agree with gay marriage,’’ Bardet, 72, said. ‘‘When my son asked me if I’d do it, I immediately told him yes, because I did the same for his sister and because we get on well. ’’ Bardet, mayor since 1981 of the village of Ville-la-Grande, population 8000, near the Swiss border, said he had never discussed same-sex marriage with his gay son. The issue divided France and led to massive protests before same-sex marriage was legalised last year.