Gay French Politician Will Visit Polish LGBT-Free Zone
French European Affairs Minister, Clement Beaune has used an interview with Tetu magazine to come out as gay and vowed to visit a Polish so-called “LGBT-free zone”.
In the interview with Tetu, Beaune made public his sexuality saying, “I’m gay, and I’m happy with that.”
The 39-year-old said he wanted to be public so others could see that being LGBTIQA was not a barrier for a career in politics.
Asked about LGBTIQA rights in Europe, Beaune said he was committed to fighting bigotry and in particular Poland’s anti-LGBTIQA stance.
“I wouldn’t want people to say I am fighting against LGBT-free zones because I am gay,” Beaune said. “It would be insulting to say I am leading that fight for myself, however, as European Affairs minister, I have an additional responsibility. I must fight for tolerance,” Beaune said.
Beaune had previously called LGBT-ideology free zones set up by several local councils in Poland “an absolute scandal”. He told Tetu, that he plans to visit the country early in 2021 and will include an “LGBT-free” city.
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned in September that LGBT-free zones have “no place in our union”.
Poland has the worst record for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights in the European Union, according to rights organisation, The Council Of Europe.
