French Minister for European Affairs Clément Beaune publicly came out as gay in an interview with French gay magazine Têtu, in which he also promised to support LGBT+ communities in Poland.
“I am gay, and I have no problem saying it,” he told the magazine, prompted by a question on LGBT+ rights in Europe. He said he wanted to show his homosexuality was “not an obstacle” to becoming a minister.
Beaune promised he would visit a Polish “LGBT-free” zone early next year, as well as bringing his support to a Polish abortion rights organisation, as ‘Politico’ reports.
Hundreds of Polish municipalities have declared themselves “LGBT-free” zones. “I wouldn’t want people to say I am fighting against “LGBT-free” zones because I am gay,” said Beaune, “It would be insulting to say I am leading that fight for myself.”
“However, as European affairs minister, I have an additional responsibility. I must fight for tolerance,” he added.
Beaune’s predecessor as European affairs minister, Amélie de Montchalin, wrote in a saement that “Europe should be leading by example” and denounced rising discriminations against LGBT+ people.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran Comes Out As Pansexual
Conservative MP Rob Roberts Comes Out
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews