Several anti-homophobia associations announced on Wednesday that they had filed a complaint in Paris against the Minister Delegate in charge of local authorities Caroline Cayeux, who “maintained” her past remarks on the opening of marriage to same-sex couples, a “design against the nature”. This complaint, sent Wednesday to the Paris prosecutor’s office and of which AFP was aware, was filed by the associations Foam, STOP homophobia, LGBT Sports, LGBT Education, LGBT Families and ADHEOS.
“I obviously stand by my words”
The offense referred to is the public insult towards a group of people because of their sexual orientation by a person holding public authority. Public Senate asked Caroline Cayeux on Tuesday if she maintained old “statements on marriage for all and adoption for same-sex couples, described as a reform of whim and design that goes against nature”. The minister first said: “I don’t think I spoke of caprice (…). I obviously stand by my words. But I have always said that the law, if it were passed, I would apply it”, she added.
In the Senate in April 2013, during the debates that led to the adoption of this law, Caroline Cayeux had indicated that “the requirement of homosexual marriage, and the adoption of children that goes with it, is not simply a design that goes against nature. For her, it was a “leak forward” with the risk of “damage” if “nothing stops the desire”.
The Stop Homophobia association calls for the resignation of the minister
Tuesday, on Public Senate, Caroline Cayeux also added: “I must tell you all the same, I have a lot of friends among these people. Frankly, it’s a bad trial that I’m being made and that upset a lot.” “I’ve never been part of La Manif pour tous, I’ve never marched, let’s be clear,” also said the minister.
A petition calls for the departure of the “notorious LGBTQIAphobic” ministers: “It’s a bad trial that I’m being subjected to and which upset me a lot. I’ve never been part of the Manif pour tous, let things be clear”, defends himself @carolinecayeux#HelloHomepic.twitter.com/xgNqJPR1Hk
— Public Senate (@publicsenat) July 12, 2022
Much criticized on social networks, Caroline Cayeux then tweeted: “My words have hurt many of you. I deeply regret them, they were naturally inappropriate. Equal rights must always be a priority in our action.”
Since this morning, I read and hear your messages. My words hurt many of you. I deeply regret them, they were naturally inappropriate. Equal rights must always be a priority in our action.
— Caroline Cayeux (@carolinecayeux) July 12, 2022
Ten years after the vote for marriage for all, “these remarks are outrageous for homosexual people” believes Me Etienne Deshoulières, lawyer for the associations. “We cannot have a government that claims to be fighting against the discrimination we suffer and a minister who allows herself to say that. I am asking for her resignation,” added Terrence Khatchadourian, secretary general of Stop Homophobia, to AFP.