In Paris, on October 29, 2021, drag queen Minima Gesté performed at the cabaret Les Belles Poules. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, condemned the homophobic and transphobic comments directed at Minima Gesté, who was selected to carry the Olympic torch during its stop in the capital on July 14 and 15. A video showcasing Minima Gesté and her reasons for being a torchbearer was met with numerous hateful comments, which the City of Paris denounced. The city chose Minima Gesté, an icon of the Paris drag scene, to help spread a message of love, openness, and equality.
Minima Gesté expressed her pride in being chosen to carry the Olympic torch and highlighted the progress made in LGBTQIA+ visibility over the years. Mayor Hidalgo echoed these sentiments, stating that she and the city are proud to have a drag queen represent values of peace and humanity. Hidalgo offered her full support to Minima Gesté and stated that the city would assist her in any legal action she chooses to take against the online harassment, particularly from right-wing media outlets. Hidalgo also reported the potentially homophobic and transphobic insults to the Paris prosecutor under the criminal code.
In response to criticism from political figures like Marion Maréchal, who called Minima Gesté’s representation “vulgar and hypersexualized,” Minima Gesté brushed off the negative comments on social media, accusing those who were against her of seeking attention or publicity. Despite the criticism, Minima Gesté remained proud of the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch and emphasized that it was a significant moment for the LGBTQIA+ community. The drag queen also called out media outlets for sensationalizing the situation for their own gain.
The incident involving Minima Gesté highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in the public eye and the prevalence of discrimination and hateful comments online. The support from Mayor Hidalgo and the City of Paris demonstrated a commitment to standing against homophobia and transphobia. The drag queen’s participation in the torch relay symbolized progress in LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation, marking a significant moment in the community’s fight for acceptance and equality. Despite the backlash, Minima Gesté remained resilient and focused on spreading a message of love and inclusion.
