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6h ago

Paris Unveils Memorial Honoring LGBTQ+ Victims of Persecution

The steel star monument, designed by Jean-Luc Verna and unveiled near Bastille, serves as a tribute to historical victims and a warning against ongoing discrimination.

French artist Jean-Luc Verna, center, poses with performers during the inauguration of his sculpture, a memorial to the long-ignored gay victims of the Nazi regime and to all LGBTQ+ people persecuted throughout history, in Paris, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
French artist Jean-Luc Verna, center, poses with performers during the inauguration of his sculpture, a memorial to the long-ignored gay victims of the Nazi regime and to all LGBTQ+ people persecuted throughout history, in Paris, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
French artist Jean-Luc Verna speaks to media during the inauguration of his sculpture, a memorial to the long-ignored gay victims of the Nazi regime and to all LGBTQ+ people persecuted throughout history, in Paris, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
The memorial is to pay tribute to gay victims of persecution 'throughout history'

Overview

  • The memorial commemorates LGBTQ+ individuals persecuted during WWII and throughout history, with an emphasis on remembrance and vigilance.
  • Unveiled by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo on May 17, 2025, the monument coincides with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
  • Artist Jean-Luc Verna designed the three-ton steel star, symbolizing both mourning and the transient nature of public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights.
  • Historians estimate 5,000–15,000 LGBTQ+ individuals were deported to Nazi concentration camps, including 60–200 from France.
  • The unveiling occurs during a global rise in anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including restrictive measures in the U.S. and Hungary, highlighting the memorial's contemporary relevance.