Politician Scolds Catholic-Inspired LGBTQ+ Party: France’s “Divine Playhouse”

In what resembles a French version of Sydney’s own Divine Playhouse controversy, a far-right French politician has slammed a Marseille LGBTQ+ event, accusing it of “unrestrained Christianophobia” for hosting a satirical “phallus” party on a Catholic holiday. 

The offending event was held at Le Boum, a popular gay venue in Marseille, France, famous for its drag shows, queer performances, and comedy nights. The party advertised itself as “Fête de la v(i)erge”, a play on the French word “virgin” (vierge) and “phallus” (verge). 

Stéphane Ravier, member of France’s Republicanesque “Reconquête” party – which is known for endorsing the great replacement theory – took to X to announce his disapproval. Anne-Laure Dufeal of Brussels Signal, who first reported the story, offers an English translation of Ravier’s remarks:

“August 15 is an important date for Christians throughout the world since it is the day of the Assumption,” Ravier said. “For us Marseillais, it is even more important, since it is the Good Mother, the Holy Virgin, who watches over Marseille.

“The opportunity was too good for the Christianophobes, and particularly Marseille’s Christianophobes, to make themselves heard.” 

The Catholic Holiday Of Assumption, But Gay?

The party, held on August 15, stated it was reclaiming “The Assumption”, a Catholic holiday usually held on that date. While the traditional celebration – among the Catholic Church’s most revered dogmas – celebrates the Virgin Mary’s physical transcendence into heaven, Le Boum would honour a different, expressly queer kind of transcendence. 

Ravier went on to call the event “disgusting”, and complained that the organisers would never host a similar event satirising Islam or another religion. In reply, X users pushed back.

“Come now, Senator,” one commenter wrote, “God, Allah, or whatever else you wish to call Him—is nothing but love.”

As far as this author is concerned, the same religion that dubbed gay people an abomination and ordered that they be put to death should recognise a dick joke for the kindness that it is.