The minister responsible for local authorities, Caroline Cayeux, said in an interview with ParisianThursday, ” to regret “ his comments “stupid” held in 2013, in which she criticized the opening of marriage to same-sex couples. His statements come two days after Public Senate first asked Mr.me Cayeux if she maintained old statements “on marriage for all and adoption for same-sex couples, described as a reform of whim and design that goes against nature”.
The minister first said on television: “I obviously stand by my words. But I have always said that the law, if it were passed, I would apply it”. And to add: “I must tell you, all the same, I have many friends among these people. Frankly, it’s a bad trial that I’m being made, and it upset me a lot”. “I’ve never been part of La Manif pour tous, I’ve never marched, let’s be clear”also said the minister.
Several associations fighting against homophobia had announced in the process that they had filed a complaint against the minister. Asked about it on Wednesday on LCIthe Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, who came out in 2020, qualified the remarks of his colleague “extremely hurtful” and specified having told him. “I am one of ‘those people’ (…). And I won’t be silent about it.” he continued. To the question of whether Mme Cayeux had to resign, he replied: “That’s not for me to say. »
“I would like to renew my most sincere apologies here”
Au Parisianin an interview posted online Thursday evening, Mme Cayeux returned to these reactions: “The remarks mentioned go back ten years. And if I can’t deny having held them, obviously I wouldn’t use them anymore and regret them. I understand that these stupid and clumsy words could have hurt so much. I would like to renew all my most sincere apologies here, because they do not reflect my thoughts at all..
While she was being reproached for having said that she had “many friends among these people”in reference to same-sex couples, Mme Cayeux added: “I realize how shocking and painful this expression was for many people. This emotion touches me all the more personally as this statement runs counter to my total determination to fight against all forms of discrimination. »
“I absolutely should never have said these words which in no way represent my thoughts. I therefore fully understand the emotion aroused and I reiterate my apologies., she insisted. Mme Cayeux announced to have “wrote an apology letter” to associations, and added: “I want them to know that they will always find me by their side in their fight against discrimination and for equal rights. »
Asked about this on France Inter, Friday morning, Marlène Schiappa encouraged her colleague to take advantage of her presence in the government to carry out actions to fight against discrimination: “As minister responsible for local authorities, Caroline Cayeux has many levers to support the cause. So if she wants to, she can support the opening of LGBT+ centers all over the country. From words we must pass into deeds”declared the Minister Delegate for the Social and Solidarity Economy and Consumer Affairs.