Reports of anti-LGBTQI+ abuse rose again in France last year, with rights groups warning of a hostile climate driven by rising online harassment and hate speech.
More than 4,800 offences were recorded by police and gendarmes in 2024 – a 5 percent increase on the previous year – according to figures released by the interior ministry on Thursday.
Of those, 3,100 were classed as crimes or serious offences – a spike of 7 percent – while 1,800 were misdemeanours, up by just 1 percent.
Although the increase was smaller than in previous years – when annual rises averaged 15 percent between 2016 and 2023 – campaigners say the situation remains worrying.
The figures were published ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, held each year on 17 May.
Julia Torlet, who leads the non-profit SOS Homophobie, told French news agency AFP the current climate was toxic.
“Political personalities are multiplying anti-LGBTQI+ discourse, which encourages hateful acts and gives them legitimacy,” Torlet said. “These discourses seep into society and become commonplace, which is dangerous.”
SOS Homophobie, which runs a national helpline and online support services, received 1,571 testimonies in 2024 – down from 2,085 the year before.
Of those reports, 55 percent were linked to homophobia and 23 percent to transphobia.
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Young men most affected
Most victims of serious anti-LGBTQI+ offences were men – more than 70 percent – and almost half were under 30, according to the interior ministry’s statistics.
Those accused of these offences were also mostly male (83 percent) and often young. Around a third of offences involved insults or defamation, while 9 percent took place online.
Physical violence and threats each made up nearly 20 percent of the more serious offences.
Despite the rise in incidents, few victims go to the police. Only about 4 percent file a complaint, according to a separate government survey.
Torlet said online harassment had worsened. “Anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric from politicians also unleashes online speech – we find ourselves with an explosion of anti-LGBTQI+ comments and cyberbullying,” she said.
Torlet cited recent attacks on public figures such as Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which included drag queens.
DJ Barbara Butch, who performed in the segment, was also targeted.
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Calls for stronger enforcement
Torlet said hateful language – especially from public figures – had become alarmingly widespread.
“We have laws, but they must actually be enforced, which is not yet the case,” she told FranceInfo. “There are still rights that need to be gained.”
She also called for more education, saying “we still hear a lot of fake news about LGBTQI+ people”.
More than half of all recorded offences took place in Paris and other cities with populations greater than 200,000 people.
(with newswires)
