New French sports minister committed to fight against homophobia

During the recent government shake-up in France, opponents of homophobia and sexism had some reason to be concerned. It was clear that Secretary of State Rama Yade, who has done so much for the fight against homophobia in sport, would be leaving the government, and the odds-on favorite to replace her was David Douillet, a former Olympic judo champion with a history of homophobic and sexist positions.


There was great relief when Chantal Jouanno, a champion kareteka and former environment minister, was named Minister for Sport. During an online interview yesterday, she stated her commitment to continuing the fight launched by Rama Yade:

Mme Yade a engagé un travail prometteur en matière de lutte contre l'homophobie dans et par le sport. Quelles sont vos intentions dans ce domaine? Comptez-vous poursuivre l'extension de la Charte contre l'homophobie dans le sport? Allez-vous poursuivre l'engagement avec des acteurs comme la Fédération sportive gaie et lesbienne?
C'est un magnifique chantier que Rama a lancé. Trop peu de fédérations ont signé la Charte de lutte contre les discriminations et notamment contre l'homophobie. Je vais reprendre ce combat. Et, mon souhait est que les aides publiques soient conditionnées à des engagements civiques tels que la lutte contre les discriminations et des engagements écologiques.

Rama Yade began a promising effort in the fight against homophobia in and by sport. What are your intentions in this area? Are you going to continue to extend the Charter against homophobia in sport? Are you going to maintain the partnership with players such as the FSGL?
Ms. Yade launched a magnificent project. Too few federations have signed the Charter against discrimination, and in particular for homophobia. I will take up this fight. And my wish is that public funding be subject to civic commitments such as the fight against all forms of discrimination and environmental commitments.