French President Emmanuel Macron's (center-right, liberal) government, who was reelected President in April 2022, is currently facing backlash over homophobic comments and stances expressed by some of its members. On July 13, 2022, six French anti-homophobia organizations filed a legal complaint against the current Minister of Local Authorities, Caroline Cayeux, only a few days after she was appointed. They denounced comments she made as a senator in 2013 when she said same-sex marriage was a “whim” and went “against nature.” When asked about this on TV channel Public Sénat on July 12, 2022, Caroline Cayeux said she “obviously maintained” her past remarks while trying to justify herself: Je vais vous dire quand même que j’ai beaucoup d’amis parmi tous ces gens-là et franchement, c’est un mauvais procès qu’on me fait, et ça m’a beaucoup contrariée. I will say, I have many friends among all those people, and frankly I am being targeted by an unfair trial. It upset me a lot. The legal complaint filed with the Paris Public Prosecutor refers to a “public insult to a group of people because of their sexual orientation by a person holding public authority,” which can carry up to a three-year prison sentence and a EUR 75,000 fine (about USD 75,000). Lawyer Étienne Deshoulières, who is representing the plaintiffs, said on broadcaster France Info: Une personne de l’envergure d’une ministre ne peut plus, en 2022, dix ans après le vote de la loi sur le mariage pour tous, dire que l’homosexualité est un dessein contre nature. A person with the stature of a Minister cannot, in 2022, ten years after the law authorizing same-sex marriage was voted, say that homosexuality goes against nature. On social media, members of the LGBTQ+ community quickly condemned the Minister’s words using the hashtag #CesGensLà (#ThosePeople): Twitter user @Le_placard_ noted that despite its progressive reputation, homophobia is still very much present in French society: #CesGensLa Chaque jour on rappel à “Ces gens là” que le combat n'est pas fini. Que ce soit par des gestes ou des propos tenus, que ce soit par un inconnu dans la rue ou un ministre. Notre liberté et notre égalité est un combat de tout les jours.#JeSuisCesGensLa 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/IzEK7xwXI6 — Loïs; Le placard (@Le_placard_) July 17, 2022 Everyday, “Those people” are reminded that the fight is not over. Whether it is through acts or words, whether it is by a stranger in the street or a Minister. Our freedom and our equality is a daily struggle. #IAmThosePeople Youtuber Chez Papa Papou, an LGBTQ+ advocate who releases videos about his experience in a homoparental household, called for Caroline Cayeux’s resignation: #CesGensLà ne comprennent pas pourquoi, en 2022, l’homophobie n’est toujours pas disqualifiante pour devenir et rester ministre de la République. 🤷‍♂️#CayeuxDémission — Chez Papa Papou (@ChezPapaPapou) July 12, 2022 #ThosePeople don’t understand why, in 2022, homophobia is still not a disqualifying factor to become and remain a Minister of the Republic. #CayeuxResignation Minister Cayeux later apologized and expressed regret, but the backlash did not stop. Government officials tried to do damage control by stressing the “right to make a mistake” and by relaying the Minister’s apologies. But their communication failed to convince many members of the LGBTQ+ community: Comment ça le débat est clos ? Ta collègue crache à la gueule de millions de personnes et tu crois qu'on va s'arrêter là parce qu'elle a tweeté deux phrases dictées par ses 15 conseillers ? Non mais là c'est la blague ! Allez, #CayeuxDémission ! https://t.co/qiJgSzJ0vt — Le coin des LGBT+ (@lecoindeslgbt) July 13, 2022 What do you mean, the debate is closed? Your colleague spits in the face of millions of people and you think we’re going to stop there because she tweeted two sentences dictated by her 15 advisors ? This is a joke ! Go on, #CayeuxResignation ! [In response to:] – Caroline Cayeux’s comments deemed homophobic “She had the opportunity to clarify her comments yesterday, I think the debate is now closed” says Olivier Véran, the government’s spokesperson. Cécile Coudriou, former president of Amnesty International France, questioned the example the government is setting for its citizens: Je fais aussi partie de #CesGensLa, de façon tout à fait naturelle et je défends jour après jour la dignité des personnes #LGBT + avec @amnestyfrance et @amnesty. 🌈✊ Les propos de @carolinecayeux démontrent qu’en France, l’exemplarité n’est toujours pas de mise au gouvernement. — Cécile Coudriou (@CecileCoudriou) July 13, 2022 I am also one of #ThosePeople, quite naturally, and day after day I defend the dignity of LGBT+ people with Amnesty France and Amnesty.