Pink Parade: “marching to celebrate our existence”

The Pink Parade made its way through the streets of Nice last weekend. Organized by the AGLAE association, colorful and festive floats lead the march to unite against LGBTQIA+ violence.

Glitter, floats and festive music conquered the streets of the azure city this Saturday, July 11. Nice’s Pride march is carried by the AGLAE association. Starting at 3:30 PM, thousands of people gathered to advocate for a future where everyone can flourish freely, regardless of their identity or sexuality.

As part of the Pride Tour, Ségolène Amiot is present to support Nice’s movements engaged against discrimination and violence perpetrated against LGBTQIA+ people.

The presence of the La France insoumise deputy is not coincidental. The rise of far-right extremism in France and homophobic violence is alarming, as the 2027 presidential campaign approaches. The Pink Parade carries a strong message, one of “living freely, growing freely, and loving freely.” They proclaim they no longer want to back down when fear arises.

A solidarity march

Armed with rainbow flags, colorful masks and signs, crowds gathered at Nice Port for the kick-off of Nice’s Pride march. Several large floats, decorated with colorful balloons and animated by DJ sets, stood on Quai Papacino. Inside, Nice’s associations for LGBTQIA+ people participated in the festivities.

“We are going to march to celebrate our existences, our loves, our families, our children and our rights,” affirms Erwann Le Hô, coordinating president of the LGBTQIA+ Center Côte d’Azur.

“We represent the Bal des Licornes, a collective that organizes events notably at the Stockfish. Our two bosses created this float from scratch! There will be two unicorns and a drag Queen, Darcy,” presents Flavien, a member of the association.

Beyond its festive side, the objective of the Pink Parade is to unite all people, without any distinction. “Thanks to events like these, we know that people support us and they are like us,” confides Mathilde, who came to watch the march accompanied by her friends. A few meters away, Maëva is accompanied by her mother. “Every year, I’m here for my daughter.”

This event is also an opportunity to acknowledge the role of these associations in the comprehensive care of all LGBTQIA+ people and their loved ones who need it. “We welcome victims of assault, discrimination, violence, precarity and isolation. We also support those who have been rejected by their families and those who fled their country because they are threatened with death,” proclaims the coordinating president of the LGBTQIA+ Center Côte d’Azur.

Normalized hatred

Although it is a criminal offense, hate speech targeting people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity is progressing in the media, on social networks and in the streets. The Ministry of the Interior reports an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ offenses in France for 2025. Yet local associations remain “underfunded (…) LGBTQIA+ centers are vandalized, tagged and filled with hateful and homophobic messages,” laments the Amnesty International representative.

This increase in violence heightens the concerns of those affected, particularly in the face of rising reactionary and conservative movements. These movements spread hate speech without hesitation. “This year, a new threat confronts us with masculinist, anti-gender and anti-rights movements that continue to take hold across the world. In France, our democracy is not safe,” declares a member of Amnesty International.

Silenced, victims of anti-LGBTQIA+ violence and discrimination struggle to find a voice to be heard. The Pink Parade is an opportunity for all these people to fiercely oppose the normalization of this violence, whether in families, on the streets or at work.

“This event is important for our rights, to simply go to a country without being afraid of dying or being attacked for the person I love. We are still far from acceptance, and without these demonstrations, we will never move forward,” admits Maëva.