Conférence internationale : "Quels discours pour la dépénalisation de l'homosexualité ?"

Decriminalization of homosexuality: Paris hosts an international conference

On June 25, 2026, Paris will host an international conference on the theme "What discourses for the decriminalization of homosexuality?". Organized by ADUH, in partnership with Stop Homophobie and the City of Paris, this meeting will bring together researchers, diplomats, association leaders, and political figures, with the aim of better understanding the strategies for reducing the criminalization of homosexuality.

Practical information:
Conference: What discourses are needed for the decriminalization of homosexuality?
Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Schedule: Conference: 6:00 PM to 8:15 PM - Cocktail reception at 8:15 PM
Venue: Auditorium of the Paris City Hall, 5 Rue de Lobau, 75004 Paris
Organizers: Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH), in partnership with Stop Homophobia and the City of Paris
Registration: Free and mandatory
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Even today, more than sixty countries criminalize same-sex relationships. In some states, LGBT+ people risk prosecution, imprisonment, or even the death penalty because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Faced with this reality, the organizers hope to create a space for reflection on the discourses capable of persuading, uniting, and changing laws.

The conference will be opened by Étienne Deshoulières, president of ADUH, alongside a representative of the City of Paris, Jean-Marc Berthon, ambassador for the rights of LGBT people, and Maxime Haes, spokesperson for Stop Homophobia.

The presentations will address several political, diplomatic, religious, and activist contexts. Jean-Marc Berthon will speak on the role of diplomacy in the fight for decriminalization. Louis-Georges Tin will analyze the links between decriminalization and post-colonial discourse. Asal Abasian will discuss the issue of religious discourse and Sharia law in Iran.

Other presentations will shed light on specific national situations. Bochra Bel Hadj Hmida will discuss the necessary discourse to spark debate in Tunisia. Nicole Fong will share lessons learned from the Malaysian experience. Frédéric Obiang will explain the arguments that accompanied decriminalization in Gabon. Tchomnou Djeukeu Joseph Silvère will present a case study on Cameroon. Finally, a testimony from Senegal will address the consequences of stricter criminalization for LGBT+ people.

The evening will conclude with an exchange with the public, a cocktail reception, and the presentation of a final declaration calling for continued efforts towards the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

Through this conference, the organizers want to reiterate that no one should be prosecuted, imprisoned, or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. They also intend to demonstrate that the fight against the criminalization of LGBT+ people is a central issue of human rights, dignity, and equality.
Press contact:
Bouhdid Belhedi - +33 6 05 93 80 26
bouhdid.belhedi@depenalisation-homosexualite.org



Translated automatically - see original description in French