“It’s going to be a very beautiful place, the most beautiful for LGBT people, open for homosexual and trans refugees”, enthuses Jean-Luc Romero, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of human rights, integration and of the fight against discrimination. To celebrate the World Day Against Homophobia, which takes place on Wednesday May 17, the city will inaugurate a new “support place”, dedicated to LGBTQI + people “in a situation of vulnerability”, in particular refugees.
The “Bulle”, with a surface area of 520 m2, is located at 22 rue Malher, in the heart of the Marais, next to the historic library of the City of Paris, where it occupies the former space dedicated to exhibitions. The place will offer services, resources, support services, therapeutic discussion groups, French lessons, artistic practices and will also be a place for debate and exhibitions. It is managed by seven associations: Ardhis, Outrans, XY media, Wassla, Front transfem, Espace santé trans and Ankh.
Pool skills
“We are very proud and proud to be able to welcome these people in a central space for the city, politically driven, and to tell them that they are also at home, in their bubble, where they can find warmth, conviviality and resources to face the outside world”, comments Aude Le Moullec-Rieu, president of Ardhis and co-director of La Bulle. “It’s an impressive space, and having a place in a beautiful neighborhood is very important, because we are addressing undervalued people. We want to tell them that they are worth it, ”adds Anais Perrin-Prevelle, co-president of the Outrans association.
Until now Outrans, which helps trans and non-binary people, operated for its individual appointments in cafes. “Can you imagine what it would be like to talk about all this in a café, with eavesdroppers? “, explains Anais Perrin-Prevelle, who is delighted to have a place to talk in peace. The manager is also pleased to soon be able to pool the skills of all these associations.
Housing for a hundred people
The city has done 590,000 euros of work and the Bubble benefits from a rent reduced to 10,000 euros per year (otherwise the cost would have been multiplied by 15), as well as a subsidy of 20,000 euros per year for operation. The Interministerial Delegation for the Fight Against Racism, Anti-Semitism and Anti-LGBT Hate (DILCRAH) has added 85,000 euros for equipment and keeping the premises alive.
In addition to this centre, which is a place of support and not accommodation, the city has opened eight apartments in two years for 48 LGBTQI + refugees, managed by the Basiliade association, including one in the former apartment of the leader of the demo for All, Frigid Barjot. The reception capacity should eventually rise to 72 people and even to a hundred places when the center project managed by the Aurore and Ardhis associations opens, scheduled for 2024, nestled next to the Arsenal library, in the 4th arrondissement.