Drag queens and gay kiss at Olympics opening spark outrage from France's far right

Performing on the Debilly Passerelle during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris – REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Two men kissing, models recreating the Last Supper and a trans model: the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games included references to the LGBTQIA+ community, which has upset a section of the French far right.

One of the standout moments was a piece of art titled “The Celebration.” This part of the event began with a group sitting at a table, including several famous drag queens, such as Nikki Doll, Paloma and Pesh.

The scene was reminiscent of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles.

With music by French DJ Barbara Boch, a feminist and lesbian activist, several models, including Raya Martini, a transgender woman, then appeared in clothes designed by emerging fashion talents.

Shortly before, in a segment titled “Parisian Love” from the painting “Liberty,” artistic director Thomas Joly introduced “Paris where desire asserts itself and expresses itself,” according to the show’s development document.

After a “sensual and atmospheric choreography that evokes how desire is generated,” performed by dancers in LGBTQIA+ attire, two men kiss. The audience can also see a trio locking themselves in the room.

French MEP Marion Maréchal responded with a message on social media.

It is difficult to appreciate the strange scenes between the beheaded Marie Antoinette, a band of [trio amoroso] The kissing, the queens, the humiliation of the Republican Guard who was forced to dance with Aya Nakamura, the ugliness of the costumes and choreography.

“We are desperate to celebrate the values of sport and beauty in France amidst such blatant propaganda,” the far-right MP added.

The ceremony lasted about four hours. In addition to the sports delegations crossing the Seine, the event highlighted historical and cultural facts about France.