The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, condemned Friday May 3 “homophobic and transphobic remarks” targeting the drag queen Minima Gesté, whom she selected as the bearer of the Olympic flame during his visit to the capital on July 14 and 15.
Broadcast Wednesday, the video presenting Minima Gesté and her motivations as a torchbearer “was the target of numerous homophobic and transphobic remarks which the City of Paris condemns without reservation”said Mme Hidalgo in a press release. The town hall explains having chosen Minima Gesté, icon of the Parisian drag scene, “to help him carry his message of love, openness and equality”.
“One of the messages that I would very much like to carry with this relay is the pride of my community that I bring with me because ten years ago this is something that would never have been possible, having a drag queen who carries the Olympic flame »launched Minima Gesté in this video, also emphasizing that “visibility remains one of the pillars of acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community”.
“100% for the buzz”
“Yes, I am proud and yes, Paris is proud that a drag queen carries the flame and therefore the values of peace and humanity”said M.me Hidalgo, quoted in the press release. The elected socialist “provides its full support to Minima Gesté” that the Paris City Hall “will help in any legal action it may give” against “this digital harassment, notably relayed by far-right media”.
Mme Hidalgo has also proceeded, under article 40 of the code of criminal procedure, “reporting to the Paris prosecutor comments that she considers potentially constituting the offense of public insult of a homophobic or transphobic nature”specifies the municipality.
Interviewed Thursday on TF1, Marion Maréchal, named head of the Reconquest list! for the European elections, criticized the representations “particularly vulgar, hypersexualized” by Minima Gesté. “I don’t consider this to be a good way to represent France in the eyes of the world”added the candidate from Eric Zemmour’s party.
“It goes completely over my head that Marion Maréchal Le Pen (…) do not agree with the fact that I carry the Olympic flame”, reacted Thursday in his Instagram story Minima Gesté. The drag queen has, moreover, accused on TF1 for asking Marion Maréchal to speak on this subject “100% for the buzz”. ” What did you expect ? For her to say “Oh wow, what good news!” ? »she added.