The LGBT acronym, the rainbow flag and the association’s logo have been carefully scratched with black paint. And on the entire surface of the room, the phrase “not from your propas” [pour propagandes] was inscribed in black paint, accompanied by a Celtic cross. The LGBT + center in Pyrénées-Orientales was the target of degradation over the weekend, in Perpignan.
“It is with great sadness that we discovered this vandalism which aims to harm us, to intimidate us and to make us invisible, deplores the organization in a press release. While our association campaigns for an inclusive society and “living together” in compliance with the laws and values of the Republic, we have to face manifest rejection and hatred. »
“We are sad, angry but have neither fear nor hatred”
The LGBT+66 Center denounces the actions of “reactionary and radicalized groups, in search of identity, who thus express their hatred in an uninhibited way, with relative impunity”. The association filed a complaint. “Today we are sad and angry. But, unlike the individuals who committed these acts, we have no fear or hatred. We have no hatred because, unlike them, we are able to welcome, dialogue and exchange without violence with everyone, while respecting everyone’s differences. We are not afraid because, unlike them, we are sure of our identity, our values and respect for the laws of our Republic. We welcome otherness and diversity as an asset. We don’t live in a world of fantasy fears and pseudo-conspiracies. »
The association has received the support of many supporters, anonymous or political leaders. Hermeline Malherbe, president (PS) of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, sees in it the action of the far right in particular: “June will not be the festival of the far right and discrimination but on the contrary the month of the fight against all forms of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, rejection of differences,” she explains.