Various local pride marches were held in France. Including in the city of Aix en Provence, Caen, Angers and Poitiers. The national anti-homophobia organisation and helpline ‘SOS homophobie’ released its annual report on the state of homophobia and organised events in a dozen cities all over France, including concerts and human chains.

Various other events took place throughout the country, like a giant rainbow flag display in Montpellier (pictured).

IDAHOT 2014 in France – Rainbow Action in Montpellier

LGBT homeless young people in focus

The organisation ‘le refuge’, which cares for homeless young LGBT people held its annual action week around the IDAHOT 2014, with fundraiser events, media stunts, conferences and advocacy actions towards national and local public authorities.

LGBT police forces association join the IDAHOT 2014

The LGBT police forces association FLAG! kick-started an awareness raising campaign and training module amongst national police and security forces, with the support of the Ministry of Interior. The organisation launched a proposal for a police process at the national level to better track and report incidents of homophobic and transphobic violence.

IDAHOT 2014 in France – Police Association Campaign Poster

Strasbourg Sing-in

The LGBT choir, Pelicanto, from Strasbourg, France, joined the global sing-in for IDAHOT 2014 with this spectacular performance of “Uprising” by Muse, featured as part of their “Stras Wars” show. Dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014, you can watch the video here.

For more information about Pelicanto, see their website.

Pelicanto, an LGBT choir from Strasbourg, joining the global ‘Uprising’ for equality on May 17, 2014.

Further Information

More information on IDAHOT 2014 actions in France can be found on the dedicated IDAHO France website.

Interestingly, the court had withheld the decision for a few days to make the announcement match the Day, clearly underlining the fact that the opposition to the law, which had seen hundreds of thousands of opponents, in their vast majority practicing catholics, take to the street, was an expression of sheer homophobia.

Several ministers also marked the day with an official presentation of the Government’s achievements over its first 6months of mandate, and its future action plan.

From left to Right : Minister for Interior, Minister for Family Affairs, Minister for Women’s Rights, Minister for Development Aid, Minister for Higher Education and Research

As part of the Global Rainbow Flashmob, the country’s largest umbrella organisation inter-LGBT organised a giant concert in Paris which starred pop icon Mika in front of a  20.000-strong crowd.

Act-Up Paris held a gathering in the most central and busy part of the city center’s pedestrian zone to unveil a ‘Wall of Shame’ of international and national figures of homophobia.

The national anti-homophobia organisation ‘SOS-Homophobie’ timed once again the release of its annual report on the situation to coincide with the  Day. Events, including media presentations of the report, were held in some 20 cities accross the country (full list of events).

This year again, the IDAHO was a great success in France. Hundreds of events, in more than 40 cities, were organised, including in new places, like Martinique, in the west Indies, where it was the first public LGBT event ever on the streets.

The IDAHO 2012 was marked by the election of the new President, François Hollande. The new Prime Minister, although appointed only on May 16th, issued a press release for IDAHO, confirming his commitments to vote new laws for equal rights for all couples and families.