First Female Political Minister Comes Out as Lesbian in France

 

A female politician in France has become the first minister to come out as gay after revealing her sexuality in an interview.

The youngest serving political minister, Sarah El Haïry, for the Democratic Movement revealed she is a lesbian and is dating someone.

The 33-year-old state secretary for youth at the Ministry of National Education casually mentioned her partner while discussing whether she uses Twitter.

In a recent interview with Forbes, the government’s youngest member responded to the question without hesitation saying she only ever reads Twitter when it affects her girlfriend or her family members.

The mention of her partner solidified Sarah El Haïry in the history books, becoming the first female minister in France to identify as part of the LGBTQ community.

Since being appointed youth secretary of state, the government minister has been outspoken regarding both women’s and LGBTQ rights and second nature in her comments.

She has previously called out discrimination against LGBTQ groups in France, saying that promoting LGBTQ rights is a “daily fight”.

Sarah El Haïry’s announcement, which the Forbes interview described as “discreet”, came not long after a similar reveal from former National Assembly of France member, Olivier Dussopt.

In an interview with the French magazine Têtu on March 24th, Olivier Dussopt said that his sexuality was “neither a secret nor a subject” while condemning homophobic attacks in France.

“Being homosexual is never neutral,” he said during the interview. “But one has the right to defend causes, to militate, to participate in the debate without making one’s personal situation a political element in itself.”

He added that, while this was his first time coming out, he has been outspoken for same-sex marriage and LGBTQ autonomy in the past.

Despite France’s current government in support of LGBTQ rights, the rise of the far-right in the country following the 2022 presidential election has caused concern.

Emmanual Macron defeated far-right rival Marine Le Pen in the 2022 presidential race, gaining a slim 58 percent of the vote compared to Le Pen’s 41.46 percent.

Although much more work needs to be done, France is still overall a very safe, and gay-friendly country to visit.

Rencontres In&Out - Festival du Film Queer in Nice

 

Celebrating an amazing 15 years, the In&Out Queer Film Festival gets underway on April 6-15, 2023 in the beautiful, gay-friendly city of Nice.

The association in Nice, created in 2009 is more than just a film festival showcasing the best of LGBTQ works from around the world. With the In&Out festival also taking place at various times of the year in Cannes (since 2009) and Toulon (since 2020), it is here where one can attend discussions not only on films but also on the fight against homophobia, with educational services in schools, and overall awareness in society on the matter.

There are a wide array of film choices to be found throughout the week in Nice on almost any subject imaginable from well-known writers, directors, and actors along with those just starting off their careers in the movie business, many of which will be in attendance for not only discussions but also question and answer periods.

 

The organizers would like to extend a huge thanks to all the volunteers who, since 2009, have given their time to help make this crazy idea a reality, following the five founding friends, Benoît, Isabelle, Matthijs, Sébastien, and Sylvain. Impossible to mention them all without forgetting some of them, but they are the great family of the Ouvreureuses and will recognize themselves.

 
Tickets for the In&Out festival will go fast for the films and events so book early!

 

A New Visa Proposed for Foreign Second Home Owners in France

 

There are a lot of home ownership myths out there for those who are seeking to buy a property in France. One of which we hear most frequently is the assumption that if you buy a home in France, this automatically allows you to come and stay for as long as want.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case as the same wouldn’t apply if one wanted to buy in North America or the UK but with France being such a wonderful travel destination, we can see how there might be some confusion.

With that, there is some good news on the horizon.

Second-home owners (or about to be owners) in France who are not French nationals or legal residents now have the chance of obtaining a special visa so they can completely enjoy their second homes.

Senator Corinne Imbert submitted an amendment to change an upcoming Immigration Bill (Article L. 312-2 of the Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum) that “Any foreign national who owns a secondary residence in France may apply for a very long-stay visa authorizing him or her to stay on French territory for a period not exceeding six months per year. This visa is valid for five years.”

The purpose of this amendment is to allow foreign nationals who own a secondary residence (or who plan to) in France to apply for a very long-stay visa authorizing them to stay in France for a period not exceeding six months per year.

This is because of Brexit, for all the British who own homes in France and have found themselves without a visa, when before Brexit, a visa was unnecessary.

The senator commented that “They’ve been here a long time and are really integrated into the life of our villages, including the local associations, so it is important.”

This new visa would work well for non-EU nationals with second homes in France (or those planning to buy here) who can’t stay longer than 90 days under the current visa-waiver program but don’t need or want to commit to a long-stay visa renewable annually in France.

While the amendment was created primarily for the British, it must be available for all non-EU foreigners to avoid being discriminatory.

The campaign has the support of many French politicians, including the Member of Parliament for the Department of Manche, Bernard Sorre, who called the 90-day rule “penalizing for property owners who participate in the local economy, take part in associations and restore old buildings.”

Since this new visa proposal is on the table, this is a good sign that a positive change is coming.

We will keep you informed of any updates.

French Riviera Real Estate Options Eight

For the month of March, we are heading back to one of the most sought-after locations in the Cote d’Azur, the beautiful peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.

Whether you are looking for a vacation villa rental or want to buy a property here, this is the ideal place to be as its history and breathtaking surroundings offer the true essence of what the region is all about.

As a real estate investment, this is the prime spot to be looking at as demand has always been high, it is recession-proof as properties tend to either stay at the same high value but for the most part increase as people from around the world have discovered this area.

The peninsula offers a community feeling, is extremely safe and secure, and just visiting the peninsula feels like you are somewhere special for a holiday.

With that, here are three property choices that have recently come on the market that we have chosen situated in the village.

 

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat - 1,395,000 EUR

Immaculate 2-bedroom apartment in the port of Saint-Jean.

Welcome to this thoughtfully renovated apartment centrally located in Saint-Jean. Situated on the 1st floor in a well-maintained condominium, this apartment boasts approx. 70 m² interior space with additional approx. 5 m² of the balcony with idyllic sea views over the port of Saint-Jean.

The condominium is situated centrally within the village and provides a convenient walking distance to all the facilities you need and including the reputable Paloma beach. Easily accessible by car, and the condominium provides ample safety.

The condominium is equipped with an elevator. Upon entering the apartment, you are welcomed by an open-plan living/dining area that flows seamlessly into the kitchen and the balcony. The kitchen is fully equipped and features a practical layout that is perfect for entertaining guests.

Furthermore, it comprises two well-sized bedrooms with views into the back gardens, two bathrooms finished with marble flooring, and one guest WC, and comes with an indoor parking place and storage unit adjacent to the parking.

The apartment is equipped with reversible air-conditioning throughout for cooling and heating. In summary an apartment that provides a convenient lifestyle for both main residents and secondary homeowners to enjoy their best holidays in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat - 5,750,000 EUR

Facing the village beach and port, triplex property with a sea view is on the market.

Area: 167m²

7 room(s)

5 bedroom(s)

Better than an apartment and more practical than a house, this triplex villa has a large roof terrace, and a sumptuous view of the sea, and the port.

This villa is located in front of the beach and port of Saint Jean, and is perfect as a secondary home to welcome your guests or family.

This triplex villa is built on two floors and benefits from a large roof terrace with a swimming pool, a solarium, two living rooms, and five bedrooms in total.

On the first floor, you will find a living room with a kitchen and three bedrooms. On the second floor, is the main living room with a terrace, a separate kitchen, a master bedroom, and a fifth bedroom.

A garage and a parking lot complete this property.

Within walking distance of all local amenities.

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat - 5,900,000 EUR

In the immediate vicinity of the port. Luxurious property completely renovated in 2023 on a flat plot of 695 m² including a main villa of 202 m², a swimming pool, an independent house of 60 m² including a 1 bedroom apartment with sauna and a closed garage of 17 m².

The main villa is made up of 3 levels served by an elevator. At the garden level: large terraces, a living room of 59m², a large independent kitchen with a pantry, and a wine cellar.

On the 1st floor: 3 bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and terraces, 2 bathrooms. On the top floor, a lounge and bar area with a superb 25 m² roof terrace with an unobstructed view of the sea and the mountains.

An exceptional property with high-end services close to the shops, restaurants, and beaches of the Cap Ferrat.


If you see a property you would like more information about or have something more specific in mind you are seeking, feel free to connect with us.