Generation Z Activist Convicted After Homophobic Remarks

The Bordeaux Court of Appeal upheld the conviction of a young activist from the Generation Z movement, affiliated with Éric Zemmour, for making homophobic remarks during the 2022 Pride March. The lawyer for one of the civil parties, Me Thibault Laforcade, told Ici Gironde (formerly France Bleu) that the decision was justified, stating: “When you climb onto a rooftop and shout a series of homophobic slurs, you are no longer within the bounds of free speech.”

Public Insults and an Act of Vandalism

According to the local radio station, the young man, then a member of the far-right Generation Z movement, positioned himself on the roof of the Maison Éco-Citoyenne and shouted insults through a megaphone at Pride participants, including the phrase: “We f** LGBT.”* Despite denying the accusations while claiming his right to free speech, he was sentenced in the first instance to a €1,000 fine and ordered to pay €100 to each of the eleven civil parties. This sentence was upheld on appeal.

Restoration of the Rainbow Crosswalk

In addition to his conviction for homophobic remarks, the activist was also found guilty of vandalizing a rainbow-colored crosswalk by repainting it in blue, white, and red on the eve of the event. According to Radio France, he will have to pay €2,300 to cover the costs of restoring the marking.