Like every year, Montpellier will once again dress in its rainbow-colored finery to carry high the colors of the fight against discrimination. More than 15,000 people are expected to march through the streets, mixing dance, music and demands.
This is the 30th edition of Pride this year in Montpellier. And as always, this unmissable Pride March will be a festive and colorful event. A quick overview to understand what’s going on and what’s happening there…
1. The beginnings in Montpellier
It all started in 1995 with the birth of the Fierté Montpellier Pride association created specifically to organize Pride in Montpellier. Since then, the association no longer devotes itself solely to the Pride March, but it remains in charge of this event. A joyful demonstration, carried by 150 volunteers, which serves to denounce and fight against discrimination and allow the visibility of LGBTQIA + people.
The meaning of the acronym LGBTQIA +
The term LGBT has continued to expand in recent years to be as inclusive as possible. So understand L for lesbian, G for gay, B for bi, T for trans, Q for queer, I for intersex, A for asexual and the + to include those not mentioned previously.
2. “Revolted”, this year’s theme
“We must continue the fight, to express our demands…. Even if in Montpellier and even in France, we are privileged, we must think of other countries. And even here there is still work to be done“, explains Olivier Vaillé, the president of Fierté Montpellier Pride.
Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO
Before adding: “With the political results of recent days, the fight for tolerance is even more important.”
An entire program
For the second day of the Pride March, this Saturday, June 15, the unmissable Pride parade.
The latter will be made up of 16 tanks and two small trains for people with reduced mobility. He will leave at 3:30 p.m. from Peyrou to wander the streets: rue Foch, rue de la Loge, Comédie, boulevards Sarrail, Bonne Nouvelle, Louis-Blanc and Pasteur via Albert-1er, rue Auguste-Broussonnet, avenue Chancel, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jaumes before ending at Peyrou.
Then it’s time for Bilal Hassani who will be accompanied in particular by drag queens Victoria Idole, Coeurambolage and Fiona Del Fion for a free evening of music.
Evenings will punctuate the end of the night, notably Folle de rage at the Zénith or Pride Night at the Rockstore.
And to finish on Sunday June 16, an after pride from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and a closing pride from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Tropisme with Folle de rage.
3. Godfathers and godmothers, activists of the cause
For this edition, the organizers have opted for godparents who are local activists of the cause. Lionel Corlay who is the founding father of Pride in Montpellier, Fiona Delfion drag queen, Erika Nomeni racialized lesbian author, Naomie Adams, racialized transgender performer and Fabio Stallion, sex worker. They will all be present to parade.
4. Montpellier, symbol of a gay-friendly city
Montpellier has always been a city in which the LGBTQIA+ community feels most accepted. In the top 3 rankings of gayfriendly cities with Paris and Lyon, Montpellier is still a destination cited in travel guides and favored for settling down.
“The city is also committed. It continues to support associations, it fights against discrimination,” describes Olivier Vaillé. Montpellier also boasts its LGBTQIA+ community.
“Clearly I came to live here because in Montpellier, I feel the weight of my sexual affiliation less than in my village in central France”explains Ysaline, aged around twenty. “It’s easier to accept yourself when you’re not constantly rejected or criticized.”
On Jonathan’s side, 57 years old, it’s the same feeling. “Today, we think that being homosexual has become normal in France, but this is not the case everywhere.”
“That’s why marching during Pride in Montpellier is essential for me,” says Maxime, 42, who wanted to study here precisely because Montpellier was renowned for being a gay-friendly city. “Wearing the colors of the rainbow flag in Montpellier takes on an even stronger dimension.”
5. Not all rosy either
Even if Montpellier appears to be the ideal city, it is not that simple. The annual LGBTIphobia report from SOS Homophobia in France does not specify the number of testimonies from Montpellier; the figures are alarming at the national level but also locally.
“The cases are frequent and the police do not always take complaints”, protests Olivier Vaillé. “Hate on social media is growing and then it’s happening in our streets.”
6. Pride, not always followed by everyone…
Although many from the LGBTQIA+ community will be at the protest, some will not attend by choice. “Even though this is an important and powerful moment, what emerges is an exaggerated and unflattering stereotype of members of the community,” confides Sébastien, a young gay fan from Montpellier for his easy life as a homosexual.
As for Justine, she prefers to remain discreet about her sexual orientation and not show off. “I don’t want to be put in a box just because I’m a lesbian, even if I understand that many people need to be able to come together and claim their identity given the rejection.”
7. A militant march that advocates acceptance and tolerance
Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON
Those who wear Pride say it loud and clear: “The Pride March is about solidarity, love, it is the acceptance of all. It is a moment where we demand, where we campaign in a festive way. And the more there is there are people, the more weight there is, the more the symbol of solidarity can be heard.” Between 15,000 and 20,000 people are expected to march this Saturday, June 15.
