Municipal Elections 2026: Committed to a Transphobia-Free Future

Concrete commitments to advance the rights of trans and queer individuals

With France’s 2026 municipal elections scheduled for March 15 and 22, a group of candidates has come together to sign a manifesto published in têtu· magazine. Their mission: to tangibly improve the daily lives of trans communities and queer families. In the face of increasing transphobic rhetoric from conservative, far-right movements and masculinist circles, this election is emerging as a key battleground for LGBTQIA+ rights.

The Crucial Role of Local Governments in Driving Change

Although municipalities do not hold legislative power, mayors are instrumental in the practical application and local interpretation of national laws. History has shown their ability to lead change—from the first civil unions (PACS) to the symbolic same-sex wedding celebrated in Bègles in 2004. These trailblazing moments often preceded national legal progress. Today, the manifesto’s signatories believe mayors and local governments can once again serve as pioneers in advancing rights for trans and intersex individuals.

Ending Institutional Transphobia in Local Services

The manifesto strongly condemns the ongoing systemic mistreatment faced by trans and intersex people in administrative processes. A decade after France passed legislation to de-medicalize the process for changing one’s name and gender marker, signatories are pushing for smoother, autonomy-based procedures. These should be accessible to minors based on their capacity to understand, and extended to incarcerated and marginalized individuals as well.

The candidates pledge to handle such requests in line with European standards—including GDPR, European Court of Justice rulings, and Council of Europe recommendations. They advocate for the term “gender marker correction,” as used by the European Court of Justice, to ensure the process is clearly defined and universally respected.

Providing Equal Public Services for All Families

The manifesto also addresses the obstacles faced by trans parents who struggle to have their parental status recognized on official documents. Signatories demand equal treatment for all families—whether they are queer, same-sex, or trans-parent families—and call for simplified procedures to establish parenthood, even in cases involving assisted reproduction abroad or foreign birth certificates.

For intersex children, the candidates condemn medically unnecessary surgeries that remain a troubling practice in some institutions. Future municipal administrations are urged to adopt more inclusive forms, recognize non-binary or alternative gender markers, and inform families about the option of delaying sex designation at birth in line with global best practices.

Building Meaningful Equality, One Municipality at a Time

The signatories aim to align local administrative practices with the most progressive guidelines on gender identity and sexual orientation. Municipal services will implement action plans to combat discrimination in hiring, workplace culture, and user services.

They also reaffirm their support for LGBTQIA+ organizations and vow to maintain critical support for grassroots initiatives. For these candidates, equality must be visible and lived at the local level—making the 2026 municipal elections an essential milestone in the broader fight against discrimination and exclusion.

Initial List of Signatories

The manifesto is backed by elected officials and candidates representing diverse political backgrounds, including:

• Emmanuel Grégoire (Socialist Party, Paris)
• David Belliard (Green Party, Paris)
• Ian Brossat (Communist Party, Paris)
• Grégory Doucet (Green Party, Lyon)
• François Piquemal (La France Insoumise, Toulouse)
• Ronan Loas (Horizons, Ploemeur)
• Michaël Delafosse (Socialist Party, Montpellier)
• Juliette Chesnel Le Roux (Green, Socialist & Communist Coalition, Nice)
• Nathalie Appéré (Socialist Party, Rennes)
• Nadège Azzaz (Socialist Party, Châtillon)
• Mathieu Hanotin (Socialist Party, Saint-Denis)
• Johanna Rolland (Socialist Party, Nantes)
• Léonore Moncond’huy (Green Party, Poitiers)
• Régis Godec (Green Party, Toulouse)
• Stéphane Baly (Green Party, Lille)
• Katy Vuylsteker (Green Party, Tourcoing)
• Claire Zytka-Taranto (Green Party, Lomme)
• Simon Jamelin (Green Party, Hellemmes)
• Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons, Paris)
• Pierre Jakubowicz (Horizons, Strasbourg)

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