Repression of homosexuality before 1982: France and its history

A bill for reparation for people convicted of homosexuality is discussed on November 22 in the Senate. A major historical debate but an incomplete and incomplete text according to researcher Antoine Idier.

The Senate examines on November 22 a bill, tabled by Hussein Bourgi (Socialist Party), “providing compensation for people convicted of homosexuality between 1942 and 1982”. If it becomes law, France will join its neighbors: the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany have already adopted similar provisions, Austria is preparing to do so.

A major historical debate is coming to Parliament. In relative indifference for the moment, even with the desire to rewrite history: appointed rapporteur of this text, Senator Francis Szpiner (Les Républicains) – who refused to interview researchers – writes in fact that he there was no “global “policy of discrimination” carried out by the State in a continuous and indistinct manner between 1942 and 1982”. It is, it must be emphasized, a gross falsification of the past.

Explicit repression of homosexuality appeared in the penal code in 1942, through a specific age of sexual consent. So from 13 years for heterosexual relationships, this age is set at 21 years for same-sex relationships: all homosexual relationships are consensual.