French Europe Minister comes out as gay, will visit Polish ‘LGBT-free’ zone – POLITICO.eu
French Minister for European Affairs Clément Beaune publicly came out as gay in an interview with French gay magazine Têtu, in which he also promised to support LGBTQ communities in Poland.
“I am gay, and I have no problem saying it,” he told the magazine, prompted by a question on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer rights in Europe. He said he wanted to show his homosexuality was “not an obstacle” to becoming a minister. The full interview with Têtu will be published on Wednesday.
Beaune promised he would visit a Polish “LGBT-free” zone early next year, as well as bringing his support to a Polish abortion rights organization.
Hundreds of Polish municipalities have declared themselves “LGBT-free” zones. The Polish government offered in August to support towns that have lost EU funding because of this.
“I wouldn’t want people to say I am fighting against “LGBT-free” zones because I am gay,” said Beaune, “It would be insulting to say I am leading that fight for myself.”
“However, as European affairs minister, I have an additional responsibility. I must fight for tolerance,” he added.
Beaune’s predecessor as European affairs minister, Amélie de Montchalin, wrote in a June POLITICO op-ed that “Europe should be leading by example” and denounced rising discriminations against LGBTQ people.
For now, however, Beaune has a Brexit-filled agenda in his role as European affairs minister. He has made multiple appearances in recent days expressing his support for European fisheries as high-stakes negotiations continue on a possible Brexit deal.