Stéphane Place (correspondent in Bordeaux) / Photo credits: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP 7:35 a.m., February 9, 2024
A drag queen course organized by the MJC in Mérignac, near Bordeaux, for children aged 11 to 15, is causing controversy and outrage among the parents of the students who are demanding its cancellation.
An introductory course in drag art, organized for children by the Maison des Jeunes et de Culture (MJC) in Mérignac during the school holidays, has been the subject of a petition since Monday. The latter already has almost 3,000 signatures. The MJC says it wants to encourage freedom of expression and fight against discrimination. However, the age group to which this course is offered, from 11 years old, is at the heart of the controversy.
Support from the Regional Federation of MJC
This proposal from the MJC shocks the members of the Association of Catholic Families North Gironde (AFC). They are at the origin of the petition which calls for the cancellation of the activity. "We are bothered by hypersexualization or even eroticization. When we are adults, we are free to do what we want, there is no problem with that. But when we are 11 years old, we don't is not in the same situation", explains Rémi Corbier, president of AFC Nord Gironde.
>> READ ALSO -
“Drag Race France”: how the series appealed beyond the LGBT+ community
For its part, this MJC of Mérignac explains that it offers programs encouraging exchanges and the expression of all diversity. It receives the support of the Regional Federation of MJC. “The regional federation and the board of directors are surprised by what this generates. The activity is to question ourselves about what it means to be dressed like this or like that. And to do it if we want to” , explains Anita Madavane, director of the regional federation of MJC.
No question of canceling this workshop, warns the MJC. Provided, for reasons of budgetary balance, that the minimum threshold of twelve registrants is reached. The decision will be made in the middle of next week.