Le Figaro Bordeaux
To discover
Follow all the news of the city of Bordeaux
“
A Virgin on the public space is disturbing,
but should we tolerate the rainbow symbol of ideology?
“, protests a Bordelais who passes every morning in front of the buildings which house the Department and the prefecture of the Gironde.
In the space reserved for the mast of the territorial community which overlooks them, an LGBT flag has been flying since May 17, the date on which it was hoisted on the occasion of the world day against homophobia.
Ten months later, he remains there because of a refusal to “
yield to intimidation
” according to the institution.
Since its installation, the emblem of the LGBT+ community has been stolen three times, and for the last, on February 13.
"
Their intolerance
(of the perpetrators of these thefts, editor's note)
must not encroach on the freedom of those who line up under this flag, a symbol of peace and harmony
", drums Renaud Helfer-Aubrac.
For the director general of the services of the Department, this choice is only the reflection of a policy “
extremely invested in all the questions of promotion of diversity and the fight against discrimination
”.
Of the nearly 35 million euros paid by the Gironde to associations in 2023, subsidies of 17,000 euros and 1,000 euros are thus respectively allocated to the Gyrofard and the Other Circle, which campaign for LGBTQ + rights.
A commitment devoid of "
ideology
" according to Renaud Helfer-Aubrac, who "
fully assumes that this flag hides the fundamental and legally enshrined freedom to question
gender issues
”.
A rhetoric far from unanimous.
“
The LGBT flag represents a political movement and an ideology, if there must be a flag, it is out of place between that of France and that of Europe, in full view, on a public building
” , replies to Le
Figaro
the assumed author of one of the flights of the said flag.
"
I do not mind that we fight against discrimination and that there are demonstrations in the street, but I would like someone to explain to me the state and systemic discrimination that is currently experienced by LGBT people
", insists this person “
disturbed by the position of officials
".
According to the latest report by SOS homophobia, based on 1,515 testimonies and published in May 2022, 10% of LGBT+ discrimination occurs in public places, 5% in schools, 3% in the police and justice and 2 % in health.
A de facto permanent LBGT flag
In the Department, the speeches opposing the perpetuation of this LGBT flag are without effect.
Quite the contrary.
"
You don't have to watch it, it's fine where it is and I see no reason to lower it
," persists Renaud Helfer-Aubrac.
“
Each time they put it back, we will be there to remove it
”, retorts the one, who aware that it is a legally reprehensible theft, considers this action as “
activism
”.
Before specifying: “
On the other hand, I do not agree with those who suggest tearing it up or burning it, because that could be interpreted as a threat.
However, we are not targeting the people who belong to this movement but the dissemination of their ideology by the
»
A dispute of “
support and visibility
” which precisely bases the installation of pedestrian crossings in the colors of the LGBT flag in Bordeaux.
The project started by the previous municipal team with the installation in 2019 of a first rainbow signage on the Cours du Chapeau Rouge, at the corner of the National Opera, was continued by the elected officials of Pierre Hurmic .
Now there are 10 in the city, at least one per district.
Marks on the cobblestones that Olivier Escots, elected official of the City in charge of disability and the fight against all discrimination, sees as "
doors, assets and rallying points which associations must seize
".
Also refuting that an "
ideology
would be conveyed by these distinctive signs, he strongly condemns their regular degradations which consist in "making
highly discriminated against people invisible
" in particular by repainting these pedestrian crossings in blue, white, red.
Read also“Disney, school, sport, social networks… Trans lobbying is introduced at all levels of society”
At a time when “
all public policies
” are taking over the subject according to the deputy mayor, Bordeaux is giving itself the means to achieve its ambitions.
Not to mention the unaffected lines, "
the 80% increase in related services
" paid for by the Town Hall and the 12,500 euros allocated as part of the call for projects for the month of pride, 56,000 euros in subsidies to associations defending LGBT+ causes are included in the 2023 budget which will be voted on in April.
An envelope that includes the two multi-year agreements awarded to Gyrofard and La Fondation Le Refuge.
The first pedestrian crossing in the colors of the LGBT flag was installed in 2019 during the red hat course, at the corner of the Opéra national de Bordeaux.
There are now 10 in the city.
Le Figaro / Marie-Helene Herouart
