LONDON – The House of Commons, the lower branch of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, conducted a lengthy debate on marriage equality in a historic gathering today in Britain’s hallowed hall of government.

This was the second of three readings of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill. The House debated the whole principle of the bill, and the usual arguments for and against marriage equality were brought up.

After hours of debate, the House of Commons voted 400-175 to approve the marriage bill.

PARIS -- France's National Assembly today voted overwhelmingly on the most important article of a bill that would legalize marriage equality in the heavily Catholic nation.

Deputes voted 249-97 to redefine marriage as being a legal agreement between two people, removing language limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

French President Francois Hollande won election in part because he promised voters that he would get marriage equality passed by lawmakers. His Socialist Party was joined by left-wing groups and others. The opposition included UMP and some centrist deputies.

Mike Ruiz seems to be everywhere these days: Playing judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model,” shooting celebrity photographs, or starring in a reality-TV show on Logo.

Ruiz comes across as a cuddly muscle bear, with scruffy good looks, a smoldering smile that would win over any critics, and a heart of gold. He gives back to the LGBT community that adores him, and his philanthropic work is extensive.

MIAMI -- English transplant Darren Ockert, the indie-pop artist and singer-producer, is likely to hear his remix of "Rain From London" at the hip clubs on the Miami Beach strip.

Ockert, who now calls Miami home, has teamed up with Italian remix guru OutBreak_Music to redo that title track off "Rain From London" (2012). The EP includes "Force Of Gravity," a track that was a finalist in the adult contemporary category in the UK song writing contest in 2012.