Tuesday, August 16, 2022

R for Diversity Beer

Calling all beer lovers!

Meet Daniel Tristant. The man behind the fierce and fabulous beer, R for Diversity!

Daniel has a strong passion behind the craft of beer making and the LGBTQ community and continues to prove his love and support in all he does in France.

I had the pleasure to interview Daniel about R for Diversity but first, a bit about the beer itself.

R for Diversity is a committed brand that offers craft beer while upholding the values of the LGBTQI+ community.

The letter "R" simply comes from the first letter of the Rainbow flag we are all familiar with and which has largely inspired the brand.

"Diversity" is also essential as a representation of everyone no matter your gender or sexual orientation.

Daniel is proud to produce a beer that is committed to donating a portion of the profits to LGBTQI+ projects and associations.

Why did you choose to work with a beer-based product?

R for Diversity was started in November 2019, and with a statement. During many LGBTQ events and pride marches in which I participated in both France and abroad. I noticed that many international beer brands were present to do business but without ever having a real commitment to LGBTQI+ diversity.

The idea came to me that I would create a beer brand that would be clearly committed to LGBTQI+ diversity and that each year I would give a part of the profits to associations or projects that would fight against discrimination.

Is R for Diversity produced locally in the French Riviera?

R for Diversity is produced in the small village of Peille in the backcountry of Nice in the Cote d'Azur. It is made from specifically selected hops and malts. The result is a blond beer of Vol. ABC 5% with a pleasant light floral small and a slightly bitter taste.

Have you had good feedback and support from the LGBTQ community for your beer?

Yes, I have had very good feedback on the beer with a growing success rate. Strangely it has had more success in the heterosexual community because they seem to be more knowledgeable about beer than the LGBT community who seem more interested in the concept of giving back to LGBT associations.

I have seen your beer bottles in local grocery stores, does R for Diversity exist in any other products like cans or kegs, and what are the available formats?

Indeed, the beer is available in 3 formats and sizes. There are the bottles that you can find in stores, the keg for draught beer in bars and restaurants, and cans for big events and festivals.

Outside the stores, where can one find R for Diversity beer? Online?

During the Covid19 pandemic, we put the product on my website where you can also order the beer. There, you will also find the whole range of beer and glassware with the brand logo.

Is R for Diversity beer available in bars and nightclubs in the region?

Yes, we work closely with the establishments in the French Riviera where you can find the beer in many bars, restaurants, and clubs. And not only in the LGBT businesses so don't hesitate to ask for it in the establishment you are at.

Do you have any future plans for the beer? Any other flavors you are working on or anything you would like to tell the public about?

Our plans are the make R beer a brand for LGBTQ diversity. We have already put in a lot of work with this specific lager so at the moment we are going to hold off on other flavors. Although we are looking for collaborators in major cities in France and abroad to continue to develop the brand so please do not hesitate to connect with us.

Thank you for your time Daniel to speak about your exciting brand of beer!

You can find R for Diversity at many local establishments and through the links posted throughout this article.

Enjoy and drink responsibly everyone!

Monday, August 8, 2022

US Property Buyers Flock To France

 

You could sense something was up very early this summer.

With travel being open again after the Covid19 restrictions, many of us in the Cote d’Azur expected it to be a busy summer and it certainly has been indeed.

As usual in the region’s summer months, it is quite common for a visitor to fall in love with the natural surroundings, quaint villages, majestic blue Mediterranean sea, panoramic views, and the overall culture of France.

What was pleasantly unexpected was that the US dollar would be practically at parity with the Euro.

Already observing a dramatic increase in those visiting from the US and also Canada, especially with those of us in the LGBTQ world, what has transpired has been incredible.

Europe is simply looking like a viable option now for those considering an actual move to or purchasing a secondary holiday home here.

With property prices in many major cities in the US on the rise, it appears to be making sense to invest here in France and possibly get more property for their money, and in terms of lifestyle along with a strong, welcoming, consistently evolving LGBTQ community.

Typically, pre-Covid19, people on vacation here would be looking at properties, as more of a consideration with serious buyers coming back once September arrives, to look more closely at their options and where exactly they would want to be after many of the tourists have left and things feel a bit calmer.

That’s certainly not the case now because of the currency parity as agents are having a hard time keeping up with demand and deciding to prioritize those already here on the ground who are seriously looking to start the process of buying before heading back home.

Property stock has been moving fast since the restrictions first started to lift in May of 2021, but this summer has been unprecedented, thanks to the Americans taking advantage of the US dollar being at par with the euro.

Smart buyers are also seeking out rental property investments with Cannes being one of the prime locations because of the year-round festivals and congresses year round, with Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat also leading the way.

As we have been business partners with many of the prime real estate agencies in the area for the past 11 years and have many exclusive, off-market property options, please feel free to connect with us to find your next property investment.

Now is certainly the time! Connect with myself at: Info@experiencethefrenchriviera.com

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Pink Parade - Pride 2022

It’s Pride time again in the Cote d’Azur and this year it all takes place on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with the parade route starting at Theatre de Verdure at 16H (4pm).

In Nice, affectionately known as the center of everything LGBTQ in the region, the Pink Parade is open for anyone to join in the extensive route through the center of the city where it then leads along the seaside on the Promenade des Anglais as it winds back into the core of Nice.

Instead of watching a variety of floats go by from a standing point, people are encouraged to follow along the route, while everyone is cheering, Pride flags are waving and a variety of music is played for everyone to enjoy.

In the French Riviera, Pride is always about community spirit and love for one another.

The after-parade party will of course take place at any number of outdoor terraces until the nightclubs open up but in the meanwhile, be sure to support the Centre LGBT Cote d’Azur at 123 Rue de Roquebiliere where a beautiful "Soirée des Fiertés" will be held outside, in front of the premises, on Saturday, July 23rd from 7 pm to 11 pm!

Open to everyone, this will be a celebration filled with music, aperitif, exhibitions, slogans, and flags from the LGBTQIA+ community with speeches, photocalls, etc., in a safe and inclusive area. 

Friday, July 8, 2022

A Monaco First! Marital Status Changed For Transgender Person

It’s a first and essential move forward in Monaco.

On July 4, a decision was rendered with the court of the first instance of Monaco authorizing one of its nationals to modify his gender and his first name in the civil status.

It was mentioned that “female sex” must replace “male sex” on his birth certificate.

“We approached the Monegasque court on the basis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights”, explains Me Patrice Spinosi, one of the applicant’s lawyers, with Thomas Giacardi. While France and most European countries have implemented legislation allowing a transgender person to change marital status, the Principality of Monaco had no provision of this nature yet.

“It is a happy decision, all the more remarkable in a traditionally conservative country where Catholicism is the state religion,” supports the council.

The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous stated, “My country does not turn its back on me.”

This historic and unprecedented request had been made by a person born a woman in 2000 but who, at the age of 4, realized, he was a male with the process of physical transformation having started in 2020.

The individual, who also has French nationality, was able to modify his marital status with the French courts.

There have been many firsts in the past few years with Monaco also having celebrated its first Pride event on June 1, 2022.

Photo credit: Jean-François Ottonello