French Minister Caroline Cayeux is facing intense criticism and calls to resign after remarks where she referred to the LGBTQ community as "those people."
More than 100 prominent French figures have signed an open letter denouncing what they described as homophobic remarks by the newly-appointed official. The letter questioned whether or not the 73-year-old, who was named minister for territorial cohesion earlier this month, should keep her job.
Angering the LGBTQ Community
The accusations focus on statements she made in 2013 when she called France's plan to legalize gay marriage and adoption a "caprice" that goes "against nature." During an interview this week, she was asked if she still had the same views and replied: "Obviously I maintain my comments. But I always said that if the law was voted for, I would respect it."
During the discussions, she said that she had been unfairly painted as prejudiced, adding that she has "a lot of friends among those people." The statement immediately drew ire from the LBGTQ community and various groups, who called for her resignation and filed a legal complaint against her for public insult, as per DW News.
Later, Cayeux apologized for her remarks, saying that her words were "inappropriate" and that "equal rights must always be a priority of our action." The appeal, which was published on Sunday, was signed by members of parliament, mayors, an Olympic medalist, a former prime minister, as well as journalists, lawyers, and members of civil society.
The letter called the country's government to set a better example and work harder to uphold the values of equality. It questioned how the people could accept that a member of the government calls French citizens "those people."
According to ABC News, despite her apology, many people still doubt the sincerity of Cayeux and her change of heart, saying that the damage has already been done. On the other hand, the official's seniors supported her, with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne saying on Friday that the minister would be "vigilant" moving forward to support the fight against anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
Divided Government
The issue has also divided the government during a time when President Emmanuel Macron is politically weakened after losing his majority in parliament. Transport Minister Clement Beaune, who is gay, called Cayeux's remarks "extremely hurtful." Government spokesman Olivier Veran also called them out of touch with the times.
The signatories of the appeal also celebrated "those people" that Cayeux referred to during her interview, noting that LGBTQ soldiers were among those who were marching in Thursday's Bastille Day parade in Paris. It also argued that LGBTQ people work in local and national government and France's security forces.
The appeal concluded by saying, "We are proud of all those people who, through their dignified and discreet behavior, know how to serve the Republic better than she does," referring to Cayeux, the Associated Press reported.
After tweeting her regrets, Cayeux also sent a letter to anti-discrimination groups to apologize for her remarks. She said that the comments "do not at all reflect my views" on the matter.
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