A comrade shares her thoughts on the first edition of Le Puy-en-Velay
Pride, which took place this summer. A unique experience in this rural
area unaccustomed to LGBTI events. We dreamed of it, and they did it! In
large cities, Pride marches take place every year. But in Le
Puy-en-Velay (20,000 inhabitants), it was unprecedented! On June 28,
2025, the very first Pride in Haute-Loire brought together nearly 800
people for a colorful intergenerational parade to the frenzied rhythms
of a local Batucada. A bold gamble here, in a rural setting, in
conservative Auvergne where there is a flirtation with the far right,
and in the heart of a Marian city, a popular pilgrimage destination.
Hence the importance of such an event for the visibility of LGBTI people
and, more generally, for the fight against the establishment of the far
right.
This objective was present from the beginning, with the creation of
Arcan (rainbow in dialect), a young local association set up for the
event. Maxim, a member of the organizing group, recalls the months of
meetings, in plenary sessions and committees, with dozens of volunteers
organized into teams (treasury, coordination, medics, communications, etc.).
Everything had been thought of, including in terms of inclusion: a
wheelchair bike provided for people with reduced mobility, wheelbarrows
to transport young children; the translation of all speeches into sign
language... Under a blazing sun, volunteers crisscrossed the procession
to spray the participants with misters - guaranteed success! A
thunderous procession marched through the narrow streets of the old
town, dancing and chanting anti-fascist slogans. Members of LGBTI
organizations (SOS Homophobie, Contact 42-43, Trans-Aides) had come from
the neighboring department. Finally, there was a festive afternoon tea
in the public garden.
"We were worried about the reaction of passersby, or incidents with the
fascists," recalls Maxim. But everything went well. The procession was
supervised by a security service organized by Rafahl (the Haute-Loire
Anti-Fascist Network, which includes several members of the UCL group in
Le Puy). The Béluga, a local self-organized venue, had lent its premises
for the meetings, the workshop for making banners, and the storage of
placards.
Arcan also received support from the CGT-FSU-Solidaires-UNSA
inter-union, which issued a well-worded press release: "We support this
initiative and share the values espoused by this collective: LGBTQIA+
rights, feminism, solidarity among all the oppressed, anti-racism, and
the fight against the far right.[...]This mobilization is an important
step in reminding everyone that equality, regardless of gender or
sexuality, is a fundamental right."
A real success, then, that calls for others, in rainbow colors. A
powerful moment, with a message that resonates. "I've never been thanked
so many times," confides Maxim. It was like a giant, joyful coming-out,
like a window finally opened...
Véronique (UCL Le Puy-en-Velay)
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Pride-du-Puy-en-Velay-Defile-arc-en-ciel-en-zone-rurale
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
Pride, which took place this summer. A unique experience in this rural
area unaccustomed to LGBTI events. We dreamed of it, and they did it! In
large cities, Pride marches take place every year. But in Le
Puy-en-Velay (20,000 inhabitants), it was unprecedented! On June 28,
2025, the very first Pride in Haute-Loire brought together nearly 800
people for a colorful intergenerational parade to the frenzied rhythms
of a local Batucada. A bold gamble here, in a rural setting, in
conservative Auvergne where there is a flirtation with the far right,
and in the heart of a Marian city, a popular pilgrimage destination.
Hence the importance of such an event for the visibility of LGBTI people
and, more generally, for the fight against the establishment of the far
right.
This objective was present from the beginning, with the creation of
Arcan (rainbow in dialect), a young local association set up for the
event. Maxim, a member of the organizing group, recalls the months of
meetings, in plenary sessions and committees, with dozens of volunteers
organized into teams (treasury, coordination, medics, communications, etc.).
Everything had been thought of, including in terms of inclusion: a
wheelchair bike provided for people with reduced mobility, wheelbarrows
to transport young children; the translation of all speeches into sign
language... Under a blazing sun, volunteers crisscrossed the procession
to spray the participants with misters - guaranteed success! A
thunderous procession marched through the narrow streets of the old
town, dancing and chanting anti-fascist slogans. Members of LGBTI
organizations (SOS Homophobie, Contact 42-43, Trans-Aides) had come from
the neighboring department. Finally, there was a festive afternoon tea
in the public garden.
"We were worried about the reaction of passersby, or incidents with the
fascists," recalls Maxim. But everything went well. The procession was
supervised by a security service organized by Rafahl (the Haute-Loire
Anti-Fascist Network, which includes several members of the UCL group in
Le Puy). The Béluga, a local self-organized venue, had lent its premises
for the meetings, the workshop for making banners, and the storage of
placards.
Arcan also received support from the CGT-FSU-Solidaires-UNSA
inter-union, which issued a well-worded press release: "We support this
initiative and share the values espoused by this collective: LGBTQIA+
rights, feminism, solidarity among all the oppressed, anti-racism, and
the fight against the far right.[...]This mobilization is an important
step in reminding everyone that equality, regardless of gender or
sexuality, is a fundamental right."
A real success, then, that calls for others, in rainbow colors. A
powerful moment, with a message that resonates. "I've never been thanked
so many times," confides Maxim. It was like a giant, joyful coming-out,
like a window finally opened...
Véronique (UCL Le Puy-en-Velay)
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Pride-du-Puy-en-Velay-Defile-arc-en-ciel-en-zone-rurale
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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