The LGBTQ+ Vocabulary And Culture in France
Emilie Neyme
The LGBTQ+ culture in France is rich and diverse, reflecting the country's history, social dynamics, and legal framework regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
In this post, I am sharing some essential French vocabulary related to LGBTQ+, and key information about LGBTQ+ culture in France. You will also learn where to live most comfortably in France as a non-cisgender or non-heterosexual person.
1- List of 30 French vocabulary words and their equivalent in English
These words are commonly used in discussions about LGBTQ+ culture and rights in both French and English.
1. L’homosexualité - Homosexuality
2. La bisexualité - Bisexuality
3. Transgenre - Transgender
4. Queer - Queer
5. Non-binaire - Non-binary
6. L’identité de genre - Gender identity
7. L’orientation sexuelle - Sexual orientation
8. Un coming-out - Coming out
9. Une fierté - pride
10. Un gay - Gay, homosexuel
11. Une lesbienne - Lesbian
12. Une marche des Fiertés - Gay Pride
13. Un genre - Gender
14. L’hétérosexualité - Heterosexuality
15. La pansexualité - Pansexuality
16. Une drag-queen - Drag queen
17. un drag-king - Drag king
18. Une personne fluide / une personne gender fluid - Gender fluid
19. L’asexualité - Asexuality
20. Un questionnement - Questioning
21. Un allié, une alliée - Ally
22. Le mariage pour tous - Marriage equality
23. Une famille choisie - Chosen family
24. Une histoire LGBTQ+ - LGBTQ+ history
25. Une acceptation - Acceptance
26. Une stigmatisation - Stigmatization
27. Une diversité - Diversity
28. L’égalité des droits - Equal rights
29. La discrimination - Discrimination
30. L’inclusivité - Inclusivity
2 - Key aspects of LGBTQ+ culture in France
History of Activism: France has a long history of LGBTQ+ activism, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the emergence of LGBTQ+ rights organizations. The LGBTQ+ community played a significant role in advocating for legal recognition and social acceptance over the years. August 4, 1982: The Forni Law "decriminalizes" homosexuality in France.
- Legal Advances : France has made significant legal advances in LGBTQ+ rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013 and the introduction of anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. These legal changes have helped foster a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Pride Celebrations : Pride events are held annually in major cities across France, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and others. These events serve as important moments of visibility, celebration, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The first Parisian Gay Pride parade took place in 1977.
-Overall, the LGBTQ+ culture in France is vibrant, resilient, and is continuously evolving, shaped by a complex interplay of historical, social, and political factors.
- Attitudes are evolving, especially thanks to the media, where we find increasingly positive representations of lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, transsexual, queer, intersex, and asexual people.
3 - Major obstacles to LGBTQ+ culture in France
Despite progress in LGBTQ+ rights, challenges such as discrimination, stigma, and violence still exist in France. LGBTQ+ activists continue to advocate for full equality and inclusion, addressing issues such as hate crimes, healthcare access, and legal recognition for transgender individuals.
Some people remain resistant to the idea of homosexuals being able to marry or start a family. The Manif pour Tous movement is a French social and political movement that formed in opposition to the proposed law to legalize same-sex marriage in France. It emerged in 2012 in response to the so-called 'Marriage for All' bill proposed by the government of the time led by François Hollande. Its actions sparked intense debate on the issue of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights in France. Although the law on marriage for all was ultimately passed in 2013, the Manif pour Tous movement continues to exist and advocate on other issues related to family and bioethics.
Also, a number of people consider that the increase in transgender individuals in society results from a trend or a drift of woke culture.
Fortunately, an increasing number of audiovisual works represent the transgender and broader LGBTQ+ community
4- The LGBT+ in the movies and in the series
LGBTQ+ individuals and themes are represented in various aspects of French culture, including literature, film, art, and music. French LGBTQ+ artists, writers, and filmmakers have contributed significantly to the cultural landscape, exploring diverse experiences and identities.
- Documentaries :The filmmaker Sébastien Lifshitz has done a fabulous job contributing to greater understanding and tolerance towards LGBTQ+ individuals. His film Petite fille (Little Girl) tells the story of Sacha, an eight-year-old child born in a boy's body but deeply feeling like a girl. Les invisibles (The Invisibles), his previous film, explores homosexuality among elderly individuals. These documentaries help to better understand the life of non-cisgender and non-heterosexual individuals.
- Cinéma : Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait of the lady on fire) and La vie d’Adèle (Blue is the warmest color) are both lesbian multi-award-winning romances. 120 battements par minutes (120 beats per minute) tells the story of the AIDS crisis in 1990s Paris. The film follows the courageous struggle of Act Up-Paris activists to raise awareness, advance research, and combat stigma.
- Séries : The series Chair tendre (About Sacha) tells the story of an intersex teenager arriving at a new high school, where all her new friends are unaware of her initial identity. She tries to create a new one, leaving her past behind.
5- Where to live in France if you are LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ community spaces, such as bars, clubs, and community centers, play a vital role in fostering connections, providing support, and creating a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals in France. When you're LGBTQ+, several cities in France offer welcoming and inclusive environments. Here are some of the best cities or neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ individuals in France:
1. Paris: The French capital is known for its diversity and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Neighborhoods like Le Marais are particularly popular, with numerous LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and events.
2. Lyon: Lyon also has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, especially in neighborhoods like Croix-Rousse and Pentes de la Croix-Rousse.
3. Bordeaux: Bordeaux is known for its relaxed atmosphere and open-mindedness. The Saint-Pierre neighborhood is known for its LGBTQ+-friendly bars and venues.
4. Montpellier: This southern French city is often considered one of the most gay-friendly in the country, with a lively nightlife and active LGBTQ+ community.
5. Toulouse: Toulouse offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with neighborhoods like Saint-Cyprien and Arnaud Bernard known for their diversity and open-mindedness.
6. Nice: Nice is a popular LGBTQ+ destination on the French Riviera, with a lively gay scene along the Promenade des Anglais and in the Old Town.
7. Nantes: Nantes offers a dynamic LGBTQ+ life, especially in neighborhoods like the City Center and Bouffay.
These cities provide dynamic LGBTQ+ communities, meeting places, and entertainment venues, as well as an inclusive atmosphere where LGBTQ+ individuals can feel accepted and supported
To conclude, France still has a long way to go in terms of equal opportunities and rights for the LGBTQ+ community. However, the representation of cisgender and binary individuals is no longer the absolute norm, and French fiction embraces many new archetypes among LGBTQ+ characters. We can be confident in a positive continuation in the evolution of mentalities. Here’s an interesting statistic for you : 10% of the French population considers themselves as LGBTQ+ !