Gabriel Attal appointed Prime Minister: LGBT associations welcome ‘strong symbol’

“Strong symbol.” LGBT associations on Tuesday welcomed the appointment in Matignon of Gabriel Attal, the first French head of government to publicly discuss his homosexuality, while calling for “exemplary” policies in terms of equal rights.

“The appointment of Gabriel Attal goes in the right direction and illustrates the fact that in France in 2024 it is possible to have a homosexual prime minister,” reacted Joël Dumieux, co-president of Sos Homophobia. “The evolution of mentalities made this appointment possible,” he adds, recalling the “strong symbol.”

The appointment “gives visibility,” adds Catherine Michaud, president of the GayLib association and member of the Radical Movement. “This could send a positive message to teenagers, letting them know that being gay and being a prime minister is okay, that it’s not forbidden. »

Gabriel Attal, 34, saw his homosexuality revealed in the 2018 book “Crépuscule” by lawyer Juan Branco, a former classmate of the Alsatian school in Paris. Since then, he has discussed his sexual orientation in several interviews, most notably in November’s TF1 show Sept à Huit. He especially regretted this “outing,” which prevented him from declaring his homosexuality “when (he) wanted and the way (he) wanted.”

“Assuming” without “asserting”

homosexuality: “I have always believed that we can assume it without saying it. I wonder if wearing it as a banner will lead to it becoming something abnormal,” he told Closer in 2019.

If the symbol of his appointment is important, he “will not do everything,” emphasizes Joël Dumier, “especially if it is not accompanied by a strong policy in favor of equality.” “The government that Gabriel Attal will lead must be exemplary on LGBT issues and, in particular, on homophobic violence and attacks,” emphasizes the co-president of SOS Homophobia. “The government needs to tackle these issues head on,” he adds, be it “PMA for transgender people, stopping the mutilation of intersex people and the ethics of GPA (surrogacy).”

At GayLib, Catherine Michaud is discreet. “To expect LGBT issues to progress under his government is to attribute communal intentions to him,” she said. “He was appointed because Emmanuel Macron believes he would make a good prime minister, not because he is gay.”

The Prime Minister’s room for maneuver on these issues appears slim, particularly in relation to the GPA. In April 2019, Gabriel Attal suggested that he would not be against “ethical” surrogacy to have a child if it were legal in France. But Emmanuel Macron has always opposed this measure.