The Minister of Territorial Communities Caroline Cayeux said Thursday in an interview with
Parisian
"
regret " his "
stupid
" remarks
of 2013 criticizing the opening of marriage to same-sex couples.
Public Senate asked Caroline Cayeux on Tuesday if she maintained old statements dating from 2013 "
on marriage for all and adoption for same-sex couples, described as a reform of whim and design that goes against nature
".
Read also“I am one of those “people””: Clément Beaune responds to Caroline Cayeux’s comments on marriage for all
The minister first said: “
Obviously I stand by my words.
But I have always said that the law, if it were passed, I would apply it
”.
And to add: “
I must tell you all the same I have a lot of friends among these people.
Frankly, it's a bad trial that I'm being made and it upset me a lot
”.
“
I have never been part of La Manif pour tous, I have never marched, let things be clear
,” also indicated the minister.
In an interview with Le Parisien on Thursday evening, Caroline Cayeux said: “
The remarks mentioned date back ten years.
And if I can't deny having held them, obviously I wouldn't use them anymore and regret them.
I understand that these stupid and clumsy words could have hurt so much.
I would like here to renew all my most sincere apologies because they do not reflect my thoughts at all
.
While she was criticized for having said that she had “
a lot of friends among these people
”, in reference to homosexual couples, Caroline Cayeux added: “
I realize how shocking and painful this expression was for many people.
This emotion touches me all the more personally as this statement goes against my total determination to fight against all forms of discrimination.
»
“
I absolutely should never have said these words which in no way represent my thoughts.
I therefore fully understand the emotion aroused and I reiterate my apologies
, ”she insisted.
While several anti-homophobia associations announced on Wednesday that they had filed a complaint in Paris against Caroline Cayeux, the minister indicated that they had "
written a letter of apology
".
“
I want them to know that they will always find me by their side in their fight against discrimination and for equal rights.
»