France may extend fertilization rights to lesbians, singles

Lesbians and single women in France may soon have access to medically assisted reproduction for the first time.

President Emmanuel Macron's government presented a draft law Wednesday on bioethics that includes expanding treatments such as in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Currently the procedures are only available to heterosexual married couples, which LGBT rights groups and single women have long decried as unjust.

The government says the measure is a response to "unprecedented technological advances" and societal change.

The bill now goes to parliament, where Macron's centrist party has the majority. But many conservative and far right activists oppose the measure, and are already planning a protest against it to challenge Macron's leadership.

The bill also includes new rules on parental rights and genetic research. Surrogate pregnancies will remain illegal.