Caroline Cayeux’s comments hurt and angered many – including her colleagues – and sparked a wider debate around persistent discriminatory behavior by people in power.
More than 100 prominent figures published an appeal on Sunday in the Journal du dimanche newspaper, questioning why he is still in government. The signatories included members of parliament, senior officials, an Olympian, doctors, artists, a former prime minister, a former top adviser to Macron and others from Macron’s centrist political camp.
Cayeux was asked in an interview this week about her opposition to France’s 2013 law legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption, and comments at the time that it was “against nature.” Speaking on Tuesday to broadcaster Public Senat, she said she was wrongly labeled as biased.
“I reserve my remarks. I’ve always said that if the law was passed, I would implement it,” he said, adding: “I have many friends among all these people and I am the target of an unfair trial. That upsets me.”
The remarks caused shockwaves among LGBTQ people and those fighting against discrimination and abuse, and prompted calls for her resignation. A lawsuit was filed against her for public insult.
Cayeux later tweeted her regret, saying her words were “inappropriate” and sent a letter to anti-discrimination groups to apologize. He told Le Parisien newspaper that the comments “do not reflect my views at all”.
Many question the sincerity of her change of heart and say the damage is done.
“How can we trust that the government will respect equality among all, commit to anti-discrimination and guarantee gender freedom?” asks an online petition by LGBTQ groups calling for the resignation of Cayeux and two other cabinet members who opposed the same-sex marriage law. The report calls them “expressors of hate and rejection.”
But her bosses seem to be sticking with Cayeux. Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne said Friday that Cayet’s comments were “clumsy” but welcomed her apology and said Cayet would be “vigilant” going forward to support the fight against LGBTQ discrimination.
The issue has divided the government at a time when Macron is politically weakened after losing his majority in parliament.
Transport Minister Clément Beaune, who is gay, called Cayeux’s comments “extremely hurtful”. Government spokesman Olivier Veran called them out of touch with the times.
In the appeal published on Sunday, the signatories called on the government to set a better example and defend France’s egalitarian values.
They celebrated “those people” Cayeux referred to, noting that LGBTQ soldiers were among those marching in Thursday’s Bastille Day parade in Paris and that LGBTQ people work in local and national government and in the French security forces.
“We are proud of all those people who, with their dignified and discreet behavior, know how to serve the Republic better than she,” he concludes.
