On Sunday, Socialist candidate François Hollande won the presidential race in France, beating out incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy.

Hollande and his party have been very supportive of LGBT rights in France, more specifically marriage equality and same-sex adoption rights. According to Xtra!, Hollande wrote on his campaign website:

“Freedom is the ability to let two people in love, regardless of their sexual orientation to unite. Equality is to allow any couple to use the same device without legal discrimination.” (Liberté and égalité are, along with fraternité, part of the French motto.)

But France hasn’t been without its hurdles in the fight for equality. Last year the French parliament rejected a marriage equality law, and in order for a similar law to go through more Socialists will certainly have to make it into parliament. 

Still, this is a very good sign and something we should consider a victory. Félicitations, Monsieur le Président!