Seeking to win Paris away from the left in the municipal elections, the right-wing candidate from Les Républicains (LR), Rachida Dati, took care to clarify her stance on LGBT issues.
Avant toute chose, peut-on revenir sur cette expression, “club des homosexuels”, qui vous a été attribuée dans un article du Nouvel Obs ?
Rachida Dati : I have filed a complaint against Le Nouvel Obs for attributing these remarks to me in a mendacious way. I never uttered those words, and above all I never thought in terms of “communities.” I know too well what it is to be constantly reduced to one’s identity. Freedom has been the driving force behind everything I have done in my life, including sexual freedom. I know what it is to undergo a virginity test at a doctor’s office. I know what it is to accept an arranged marriage. This is my story. Therefore I support all struggles that concern individual freedoms, as long as they do not infringe on the freedoms of others.
The “lobby LGBT”, is indeed a scarecrow often waved by the right…
It’s an expression that is unfortunately widespread in all political camps, and in all social milieus. It is intolerable, but it is also intolerable, because one is on the right, to be labeled as homophobic. I will tell you, the word lobby is completely foreign to me. I am terrified by the return of these fantasies.
You yourself, as an elected official, you are opposed to several advances of LGBT rights, from Taubira’s law to the “conversion therapies”, through the opening of the procreation medically assisted (PMA).
I have never demonstrated with La Manif pour tous. My main concern, during the adoption of Taubira’s law and the opening of the PMA, was the parentage. I have seen many children suffer because they did not know their origins. I am in favour of parentage being registered and for a child to be able to access it. This issue concerns all children, regardless of their parents’ situation. Regarding conversion therapies, abstention in the European Parliament was a group vote, technical and not political. Because family law is not a European competence and anything outside Community competence is not voted on to avoid transferring this competence to the European Union. This guarantees that states remain sovereign on these subjects. If I need to repeat it, I repeat: I am utterly opposed to conversion therapies, and if I had been a national deputy, I would have expressed it during that vote.
Vous restez opposée à la légalisation d’une gestation pour autrui (GPA) ?
I stand by my position: I am not in favor of legalizing surrogacy, because I think it constitutes an intrusion into women’s bodies and women’s freedom. I believe we can vigorously defend equal rights and fight discrimination without being in favor of surrogacy.
Sur les questions de genre, lors de sa campagne présidentielle en 2022, Valérie Pécresse avait déclaré à têtu· : “L’autodétermination, c’est dans mon ADN”. Aujourd’hui, des élus de la droite Horizons ont signé le manifeste publié par têtu· appelant les maires à accepter le changement de la mention de genre à l’état civil. Et vous ?
On gender change, it must be regulated; it is a matter of legal safety for the person herself. Today, it is handled by the court, but you could quite well do it in town hall by the civil status officer. Look at PACS; now it’s in town hall. But we must maintain a minimum procedure, a framework, and a minimum age should be defined with experts.
Contre les violences LGBTphobes, et notamment la multiplication des guets-apens homophobes, que pourrait faire la municipalité que n’aurait pas réussi à faire le gouvernement auquel vous avez appartenu ?
I am in favor of a security policy and a dedicated criminal policy. With 100% of streets covered by video surveillance, with a municipal police force strengthened day and night, whose mission will be the safety of people and property, all Parisians will be better protected. This armed, equipped and trained municipal police will support the national police. As president of the local security and crime-prevention council, I will request the public prosecutor to pursue a firm criminal policy across the entire city of Paris, dedicated to fighting LGBTphobic violence, ensuring that aggravating circumstances are properly taken into account when the criminal acts are qualified.
Beaucoup d’élu·es de la droite remettent en cause l’intervention à l’école des associations spécialisées dans l’éducation affective et sexuelle : vous en faites partie ?
I am the mother of a 17-year-old daughter, and I think that education through school has given her a support that is always more difficult for parents to provide, surely due to modesty or the reproduction of their own upbringing. Behind the question of affective education is the question of discovery and respect for one’s body, learning about consent, but it is also, more broadly, a tool for prevention in adolescent psychology.
Concernant la réduction des risques, vous comptez fermer les salles de consommation à moindre risques ; n’est-ce pas aller contre l’histoire même de la droite, qui avait autorisé dans les années 1980 la distribution de capotes et la vente de seringues en pharmacie ?
I have seen loved ones die from overdose because the products were adulterated or because the equipment used was contaminated. I do not have a theoretical or festive view of drugs. I believe drugs kill and that we must save these lives. I have always supported prevention and harm reduction, which involves distributing clean equipment and providing social support. But I am even more in favor of withdrawal/rehabilitation solutions, which these consumption rooms as they are currently designed do not provide. The mayor of Paris is president of AP-HP. In that capacity, she must be able to direct the fight against addictions toward withdrawal and reintegration, with very significant social support.
La sénatrice Anne Souyris a proposé une loi pour acter le principe du “bon samaritain”, c’est-à-dire le fait que la police n’intervienne pas quand les secours sont appelés pour une urgence liée à la consommation de drogue, en particulier dans le cadre de la pratique du chemsex. Est-ce que vous soutiendriez cette mesure ?
Police is first there to protect. And it is also about protecting people who may have been put in danger, including minors. I do not agree to close one’s eyes on the pretext of a health emergency. But in such circumstances, everyone knows that the priority is always medical care and saving lives.
Donc on poursuit la politique indifférenciée de la guerre à la drogue, quand nos voisins comme l’Allemagne légalisent la consommation de cannabis ?
I have long been aware of all the issues related to drug trafficking and addiction. The composition of cannabis, its active ingredient, has evolved strongly, for the worse. Today’s cannabis is not the weed of the 1970s. I will never give up the fight against drugs. Too many lives and families broken!
À Paris, le bilan de la majorité sortante est plutôt salué sur les sujets LGBT. Vous le contestez ?
It is thanks to my political group at the Paris council that the LGBTQI+ Archives project was relaunched. Since 2020, we have actively supported the Collective, despite the current town hall’s blockages. I have committed to ensuring its longevity by providing the premises and turning this center into a living, open place for all.
Au cours de votre campagne municipale, vous vous êtes affichée dans le Marais auprès des établissements LGBT. Que feriez-vous pour préserver ces lieux ?
For years, these establishments have warned Paris City Hall. I am attached to them because I believe they helped shape the Marais: its freedom, its festive spirit, its rebellious spirit. Today, this identity is threatened by a lack of support. Iconic venues are being replaced by tourist shops. I oppose the Disneylandization of central Paris. I want Parisians to continue living there and for each neighborhood to keep its soul and its history.
L’an dernier, la présidente de la région Île-de-France, Valérie Pécresse, avait retiré la subvention à la Pride de Paris à cause de son affiche, mais la mairie avait compensé la perte. Vous le ferez également ?
Many gay people did not recognize themselves in this Pride poster that shocked many Parisians and residents of Île-de-France. We must acknowledge that. Pride is meant to convey a message of tolerance and universalism. I am also surprised to see a veiled woman there, who carries a message of labeling.
Notre sondage sur les intentions de vote LGBT en 2027 montre une disparition de la droite et de l’extrême droite zemmouriste au profit direct du Rassemblement national (RN). Comment l’expliquez-vous ?
I observe in this campaign that Parisians, whether homosexual, heterosexual, non-binary, primarily want safety, a better living environment and cleanliness. I think it’s not community considerations that drive electoral choices, as long as fundamental rights and individual freedoms are not at risk.
Ferez-vous alliance avec Sarah Knafo, la candidate d’Éric Zemmour ?
I have been very clear on several occasions: no alliance with Éric Zemmour’s party.
Récemment, l’extrême droite a dénoncé l’existence sur une chaîne du service public d’un programme comme Drag Race France. Vous qui avez lancé, comme ministre de la Culture, un plan de soutien aux cabarets, partagez-vous ce point de vue ?
I have always loved cabaret, which is why I launched this cabaret plan, for which I increased its resources before leaving the Ministry of Culture. As minister, I highlighted popular culture in all territories, and I know that rattled a few people. But I stand by cabarets as places of freedom, with a strong cultural identity, and not only in Paris, by the way. Drag culture fits into this tradition.
Comment faire comprendre cela à votre électorat, dont une large partie continue d’associer le drag à une menace pour les enfants ?
I believe it is up to each parent to decide what kind of show to take their children to. My political family advocates for freedom and parental responsibility.
