“How to accept the remarks made by the Minister in charge of Territorial Communities on the eve of the national holiday.” A hundred personalities from all walks of life, including the presidential majority, denounce the “homophobic remarks” of the Minister in charge of Territorial Communities, Caroline Cayeux, in a column published by the Sunday newspaper (subscriber editions)Saturday, July 16.
Among the signatories are, on the political level, the former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, the deputies of the majority Joël Giraud, David Valence, Raphaël Gérard, Quentin Bataillon, or the mayors of Paris Center Ariel Weil (PS), of the 5th arrondissement Florence Berthout (DVD), of the 6th arrondissement Jean-Pierre Lecoq (LR) and of the 9th arrondissement Delphine Bürkli (Horizons), as well as the first deputy mayor of Marseille Michèle Rubirola (EELV).
Caroline Cayeux had sparked controversy this week by responding to Public Senate, who questioned her about old statements dating from 2013 “on marriage for all and adoption for same-sex couples, described as reform of whim and design that goes against nature”. The minister first said: “I obviously 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.” Faced with the outcry, Caroline Cayeux had backpedaled Thursday evening in The Parisianevoking old words “stupid and clumsy” and presenting its “sincerest apologies”.
“His words hurt many of us”
“She deliberately chose to maintain homophobic remarks: it is certainly reprehensible. And only a judge should decide”write the signatories of the forum. “The question is whether the government, in its duty of solidarity, validates the position of one of its members, and whether the majority subscribes to its attitude”underline these personalities.
“His words hurt many of us personally, but above all they undermine our daily efforts to uphold republican principles in our territories”they continue, believing that the “regret” by Caroline Cayeux do not have the “strength of sincerity”.