the essential
The pride march in Villefranche takes place on June 8. Organized by the collective “Les Bonnes Débroussailleuses”, it aims to make sexual minorities more visible in rural areas.
For the 4th time since 2019, Villefranche will host a pride march on Saturday June 8. A meeting initiated by the collective “Les Bonnes Débroussailleuses”, created in 2019. “Our objective is to highlight various sexual orientations and assert our presence in the rural territory”, indicates Robin José, member of the collective. “We are a lot of farmers. There were several LGBTQIA+ associations in Rodez, but in the Villefranchois area, we felt more alone, far from these structures.”
“Kick in the anthill”
“In the countryside, we can observe a slight delay on certain issues relating to sexual minorities,” adds the young farmer. “We are here to kick the anthill. Sometimes the culture in the agricultural world can be virilistic. It is also through dialogue that we move things forward. We clear up preconceived ideas.”
In 2023, homophobic attacks increased by 13% nationally (SOS Homophobia figures). “Sometimes mentalities take longer to evolve, but there is a real need,” continues Robin José. “Following the general freedom of speech, we notice that the environment is deteriorating, in reaction. It’s an everyday battle.”
Throughout the year, the collective organizes several interventions, particularly in schools and colleges, with a young audience. “It’s essential to do prevention,” adds the young man. At the next school year, the collective should have an office at the Maison des Jeunes Citoyens de Villefranche. “We also carry out actions for young people from the LGBTQIA+ community. They can sometimes feel less visible, because there are no gathering places in the area. This pride march is there to bring people together. We are in contact with several associations in Occitania, and there is an increase in prides in the rural world, in Ariège, in Mende, in the Lot. It is important to be more and more visible.
The progress of the walk
Meet at Place Saint-Jean from 1 p.m. for a big picnic out of the bag and discovery of the community village. At 3 p.m., the march procession will set off from Place Sainte-Jean to music, for a festive and political tour of the city, punctuated by speeches, dances and other surprises. At 5:30 p.m., return to Place Saint-Jean for the presentation of the raffle prizes. From 6:30 p.m., evening concerts and DJ sets at 216 chemin de la Borie des Pères, in Villefranche (membership of the LBD association at free price).
As a reminder, discussion workshops are also regularly organized at the Hauts-Parleurs association in Villefranche and at Hors-Loge in Najac.
