"Wherever it is in power, the far right persecutes us": a festive and committed Pink Parade in the streets of Nice, this Saturday

Being afraid to love shouldn't exist. "And yet people want us to live hidden and want to reverse our social gains. We respond to hatred by dancing, by singing... In short, by claiming our right to live a happy and loving life," roars Eva, 28, between two choruses – sung at the top of her lungs – of Lady Gaga's Poker Face .

At the start of the Pink Parade, on the port of Nice, Saturday July 12, 2025 at 4 p.m., the joyful rage of the young woman sets the tone for this twenty-first march for freedoms, as festive as it is political. "Partying for the sake of partying is very cool... But let's not forget that a year ago, in the legislative elections, the far right was on the verge of power. In a few months, there will be municipal elections in a very right-wing department. And everywhere, ultra-conservative elected officials and media are spreading a reactionary wave throughout society. It's a homophobic, transphobic ideology," Morgane recalls. At 40, she has done "all the pride parades in Nice" and naturally leads a procession that has brought together several thousand people.

"Wherever it is in power, the extreme right persecutes us"

"I would have hoped for even more people, but it's already good," says Nino, in his twenties, suppressing deep concerns with a broad smile: "Society must not be fooled. Wherever it is in power, the extreme right persecutes us and opposes the rights of sexual minorities. You only have to look at our Italian neighbors. Giorgia Meloni is asking mayors to remove the name of the mother who did not carry the child from the birth certificate of lesbian couples. In the United States, Donald Trump is issuing decrees to prevent trans people from accessing hormonal gender transition. In Hungary, pride has even been banned."

"Yes, but 180,000 people from all over Europe still marched. It's a defeat for [President Viktor] Orban," replies his friend, Laureen. "That made the fascists even more angry," grimaces Nino, before asking: "In France, we're subjected to the same speeches. Will we still be able to march peacefully?"

But what other choice but to take to the streets? "If we don't mobilize now, the haters will make us invisible tomorrow," says Ash, 19. "If we start keeping a low profile, taking a step backward, we've already lost," adds Erwann Le Hô, coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Côte d'Azur center ⁽²⁾ .

"We must therefore continue the offensive and assert our values, even if we are threatened and attacked by smear campaigns," he continues. "There is no question of withdrawing into ourselves. Let's remain visible, let's remain open to everyone, let's embody the example of living together, let's promote a tolerant, secular society that respects the rights of minorities. For that, Pink is a very good tool, it's a unifying and positive event."

This is evidenced by the myriad of smiles blooming in a crowd colored by flashy, fishnet, wild, and magnificently free looks. A "safe zone" where compliments and kind glances fly. "It feels good to feel accepted," confides Irma Phrodite, a 19-year-old drag queen for whom this is her "first pride." "I came on foot in my outfit and, on the way, I was insulted. And I know that after the march, back in the other streets, I will have to be careful. But that will never discourage me."

Her friend, Akela, 20, supports her: "If we're sometimes afraid of others, we're mostly proud of ourselves." As if to underline the point, the demonstration sets off towards the Prom', rallying Rauba-Capeù at the Negresco, before returning to the Théâtre de Verdure where the community village has been set up. A place for exchanges and awareness-raising where the party continues until 11 p.m. to the rhythm of techno. "It's at least 120 BPM (beats per minute)," says Lio, 17. "That's the rhythm at which the hearts of lovers beat."

1. Pride means pride in English and here refers to the pride march or visibility march.

2. Côte d'Azur LGBTQIA+ Center, rue Cathy-Richeux in Nice. 04.83.32.81.84. Monday and Wednesday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 1pm to 8pm. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 1pm to 5:30pm. Saturday from 4pm to 8pm.