The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has come out swinging in her response to the far-right and anti-LGBTQ+ critics for the massive backlash against the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Mocking the Last Supper
The opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics received a massive backlash for its Queer themes, but by far the most controversial aspect was when drag performers were falsely accused of mocking “The Last Supper.”
Unfortunately for the conservative audiences, they seemed to have gotten all worked up for nothing, as the scene was actually intended to be a homage to a dinner with the Greek God Dionysus.
The artistic director of the ceremony, Thomas Jolly, clarified that the performance was not meant to be subversive or offensive and that the segment was meant to be a tribute to diversity, inclusion, and French gastronomy.
Both Thomas Jolly and a DJ involved in the ceremony have been subjected to death threats and cyberbullying as a result of the controversy.
“My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide,” Jolly explained.
Nicky Doll, a prominent drag queen, participated as a torchbearer and performer at the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony, which included a scene that critics are saying resembled the Last Supper.
Nicky Doll went onto Instagram to defend the Olympic opening ceremony highlighting the fact that queer audiences have always been forced to watch everyone else, and it was about time for a change.
“The opening ceremony did ruffle some feathers… and I LOVE it. You know why? Because the Olympics are the biggest stage in the world and us queer people have always been the audience of other people’s life and achievement and it is time that we are welcome in the space.” – Nicky Doll on Instagram.
Defense and Explanation
Nicky Doll clarified that the scene was meant to depict a feast of Dionysius, not the Last Supper, and said she was proud to represent the queer community on a global stage.
The opening ceremony included various elements LGBTQ+ elements, such as drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer styled as Dionysus.
In response to the backlash, Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for Paris 2024, stated there was no intention to disrespect any religious group, emphasizing the ceremony’s true aim is to promote community tolerance.
Descamps said, “Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. (The opening ceremony) tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. “
Descamps concluded her statement by saying, “If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.”
Strong Condemnation by Mayor Hidalgo
However, as the critics of the opening ceremony kept up their tirade, it was only a matter of time before the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, responded to the complaints.
Hidalgo expressed her frustration with these complainers, believing they were only trying to divide society by reacting negatively to the inclusive nature of the ceremony.
She accused the “far-right” of attempting to “lock us into a war of all against all,” Hidalgo said in an interview with Le Monde. “The far right’s messaging has been crushed by these Games and by the opening ceremony. Something incredibly positive is happening,” Hidalgo said.
Underscoring the inclusive nature of the city, Hidalgo said, “Paris is the city of all freedoms, the city of refuge for LGBTQI+ people, the city where people live together.”
Criticism From Religious Groups
The Catholic Church in France also criticized the ceremony and described it as a mockery of Christianity and an insult to religion, a sentiment that many other religious leaders and commentators echoed.
In a message to France’s ambassador to Malta, Archbishop Charles Scicluna said he was very disappointed with the opening ceremony after mistaking it for a parody of the Last Supper.
“I would like to express my distress and great disappointment at the insult to us Christians during the opening ceremony … when a group of drag artists parodied the Last Supper of Jesus.” – Archbishop Charles Scicluna.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Armando Oliveira.
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