The Parisian LGBTQ+ pride march, for which several tens of thousands of people were expected, set off early Saturday afternoon from the north of the capital to reach Place de la République, with the slogan this year the fight against transphobia.
A young crowd gathered at midday at the Porte de la Villette, a working-class district in the north of Paris, taking up slogans such as “let’s vote for our rights”, “put some glitter in your life”, “the fight is my pride”, “against transphobia: transsolidarités” in a festive atmosphere. This last slogan is also written on the banner at the head of the procession while the organizers of this 2024 edition intend to denounce a transphobic offensive.
“In our small town, being a lesbian is difficult.”
“Until now we suffered from ignorance, now it is direct hatred,” judged Anaïs Perrin-Prevelle, director of OUTrans at a press conference. “In 2024, we experienced an unprecedented anti-trans campaign”, citing in particular the publication of the book “Transmania”, added the activist.
Organized on the eve of the first round of the early legislative elections for which the far-right party RN is the favorite, the pride march is also an opportunity for slogans or political speeches aimed at all personalities or parties accused of being opposed to LGBTQ+ rights.
“Pride is a party, but before the party there is a riot, anger, in a very serious social and political context,” said Mimi, co-president of the trans support association Acceptess-T.
Mila floured by demonstrators
Lily and Noah, two sisters aged 16 and 20 who came from Normandy for the march, prefer to remain anonymous because their mother is worried: “In our small town, coming out as lesbian is difficult, here we feel surrounded and safe. This is our first march, we want to claim our rights which are threatened. »
The demonstration experienced a moment of unrest when Mila, the young woman cyber-harassed in 2020 after comments about Islam and who has since shown her support for the far right, appeared in the procession. She was floured by several demonstrators, according to many witnesses on the scene. Reporter Vincent Lapierre, former editor-in-chief of the very right-wing magazine “Égalité et Réconciliation”, was allegedly attacked and had his camera stolen “by antifas”, according to his own testimony on X.
Colorful floats, unicorn-shaped balloons, hearts or disco balls, percussion concert or London-style bus from the Act-up association, the procession must reach the Place de la République where a concert is planned from 4:30 p.m. with headliners Eddy de Pretto, Bilal Hassani, Desire, Louïz and even the drag queen Piche.
A die-in, a demonstration in which participants lie on the ground to symbolize those who died from AIDS, is also planned. According to a police source, authorities are expecting 50,000 to 80,000 participants.
