Opening ceremony “was a snapshot of France in 2024”

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the most queer of all, has sparked mixed reactions, including criticism from conservative and religious figures. The event, which featured drag queens and a tribute to the Greek god Dionysus, was interpreted by some as a representation of Christ’s Last Supper, leading to accusations that the celebrations were “satanic.”

Among the participants, Hugo Bardin, known as drag queen Paloma and winner of Drag Race France, said he had no regrets about his participation. Bardin told The Associated Press that the event was significant for representing France on the international stage, avoiding simplistic stereotypes. “It was a snapshot of France in 2024, not a postcard from 1930,” he said.

However, the ceremony was also the target of severe criticism, with figures such as former US President Donald Trump calling it a “disgrace”. DJ Barbara Butch, who also attended the event, filed a police report after receiving a series of threats and insults online (read more here).

His lawyer, Audrey Msellati, revealed that Butch was the target of an “extremely violent campaign of cyber harassment and defamation”, including death threats, torture and rape, as well as anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and gross-phobic insults.

By Ezatamentchy