Vivez L’Institutiton

With all of the talk in the news about some of the Socialists Party’s people supporting gay marriages and all the backlash against them, I am feeling a little confused today about where France really is on the rainbow map. I mean, spring is finally in the air, things are starting to get lively again, and the gay community seems stronger, more vocal and more prominent than ever—so why the mixed messages? We’ve got Pedro Almodóvar whoopin’ it up in Cannes (http://www.festival-cannes.fr in French and English) and opening this year’s festival to rave reviews for his new film on one hand, and the former Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, firmly saying that same sex marriages are antithetical to the institution of marriage on the other. This is the same guy who gave the OK for le pacs, the officially recognized unions that many same-sex couples have had to content themselves with in lieu of a mariage. Perhaps therein lies the problem. The French have a serious aversion to anything that messes with their patrimoine, institutions and, above all, their rigid sense of family as being man, woman and 2.7 kids.   If you have ever been to a French wedding then you know that most of the vows have nothing to do with loving, honoring or cherishing. It’s all about, “Do you take this woman… to make as many babies as possible and to … raise them to be good tax-paying French citizens … so they can carry on the great patrimoine …(and bail us out of our sécurité sociale mess).” Since most French politicians are unwilling to look at the possibility of same sex adoptions, they see no need to even think about same sex marriages. “C’est quoi le point?”   With such a political debate in the headlines, this year’s series of gay pride marches promise to be nearly as heated as hedonistic. Check out LGBTH.com for the latest news and information. Also visit the France Queer Resources Directory for the parade schedules. As they stand right now:   Marches 2004May 29 NantesJune 5 Bordeaux, Lille, Metz, Montpellier, ReimsJune 12 StrasbourgJune 19 Biarritz, Lyon, Rennes, ToulouseJune 26 ParisJuly 3 Marseille   Lest you think that politics and institutions of France are the only thing in flux these days…   Here’s to hoping that a change in hair color will give a boost to my social life. I went from being a bland chestnut to what my friends are kindly calling “an audacious auburn”. I’m hoping that I don’t look like one of those old, gnome-sized French women who sport teased and sprayed coifs in outrageous hues of orange. My first outing and I didn’t get too many gawkers—nor did I get the hoots and whistles I was hoping for. However when I passed my neighbor on his descent and my ascent to our 6th floor perch I think he actually did a double take and finally said hello to me. (We’ve only been living one thin wall apart for the past year.)   As neighbors go he isn’t too bad, but lately I have noticed that he has been keeping dusk-to-dawn hours. Either he’s been bitten by a werewolf or he has gotten hit with a serious dose of spring fever. Hmmm. Someone who sorties more than I do… I’m jealous. Later that evening, and two glasses of pinard later, I found myself staring at the strange new me reflecting back in the bathroom mirror and humming along to Twiligh—only my stereo wasn’t on but apparently my neighbor’s was. His bathroom shares a wall with mine, and the hallucinatory thought that at that very moment he could be on the other side staring back at me staring at myself was just the first of my bétises due to my apértif à gogo. The second one happened a few seconds later and involved me standing outside his door and ringing the doorbell.   I think I started my babbling with something like, “Hi, I live next door. I’m American. We’re pretty nice, you know. And I have to write an article on fun things to do in Paris but I’ve run out of ideas. And I noticed that you go out a lot. I mean, I wasn’t spying or stalking you or anything but I have to write an article.”   You’ll just have to tune to find out how this turned out. Vivez Les Voisins!   Suggested links:·         The France Queer Resource Directory www.France.grd.org (in French only)Basically a message board with LGBTH related press releases and headlines, this is a good place to check once in a while for the latest happenings. Under Agenda you’ll find a calendar with monthly Gay Pride events and under Actualities you will see news items.    ·         Lesbienne, Gay Bi Trans Hétéro www.LGBTH.com (available in French, English and German)Under Informations and Info Europe you will find an interactive map that you can click on to get current news and poll results for each country. It is a great way to stay abreast of the political climate and latest happenings in gay communities across Europe.    Saturday night/Sunday Morning Parties in Paris Lucky Ladies Party Le Twins : 44, rue Vivienne, 75002. Entry : 8 €.Doors open at 10 and the party continues to 6am. Girls Club Every Saturday is “Lesborama” at Pulp.Le Pulp : 25, Boulevard Poissonnière, 75002. Entry: 10 € gets you in plus a drink. Doors open at midnight.   SprayL’Amnésia : 24, rue de l’Arrivée, 75015Entry: 10 € gets you through the doors and a drink in your hand.Doors open at  7pm.   French KissOne of the best after-parties in town.Le Red Light. 34, rue du départ. 75014.Entry: 15 € for door and drink.Doors don’t open till 6am