Rising LGBTQ Fears as Far-Right Sees Victories in European Elections
As the European election results came pouring in on the evening of June 9, it became clear that France's far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally or RN) would come out on top. With 31.5 percent of the vote, the party led by Marine Le Pen outshone President Emmanuel Macron's coalition with almost twice as many votes. To celebrate the triumph, three Le Pen supporters in their twenties and a member of the violent far-right student group Groupe Union Défense (GUD) went out drinking in the sixth arrondissement of Paris. In search of a bar, they came across a young man walking home alone and approached him armed with a stick and a belt. Slinging homophobic and transphobic slurs at the 19-year-old and calling him a 'filthy fgot,' they then punched him in the temple, according to French daily Libération. Fleeing for safety, the young man headed towards a woman who witnessed the attack and called the police. The four perpetrators were arrested a few minutes later. While in custody, the men made direct references to Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally: 'You'll see when Bardella is in power and Hitler comes back,' one threatened. 'In three weeks, we will be able to smash up fs as much as we like. I can't wait,' said another. With two weeks left before the final vote on July 7, LGBTQ people in France are not only worried about the future of their rights but fear a far-right win will galvanize more homophobic and transphobic attacks. A climate of fear is palpable in the LGBTQ community, with reports of offensive graffiti tags on the rise. LGBTQ groups have sounded the alarm on the increase in anti-LGBTQ offenses in France, with attacks becoming more violent. The potential rise of far-right leaders to power poses a significant threat to the LGBTQ community in France, with concerns about legal repercussions and safety in daily life. The push for a far-right prime minister could have major consequences on the rights and safety of the LGBTQ community, with fears of attacks on transgender rights and samesex families. The LGBTQ community in France faces a precarious future as the far-right gains traction, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
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