Rallies for trans rights in France over right-wing bill on gender transition for minors

Thousands of demonstrators protested in French cities on Sunday at what they called an "offensive" against transgender rights after right-wing Senators tabled legislation on gender transition for minors.

Activists, left-wing members of parliament, trade unionists and young people rallied, chanting and brandishing placards calling for "health resources for transitions".

"Anti-patriarchy, anti-capitalism, solidarity with trans people all over the world," chanted protesters in Paris.

More than 800 groups and personalities launched the call for demonstrations, including the left-wing party France Unbowed and the Socialists.

Some 10,880 people demonstrated across France, including 2,500 in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. 

In Paris, protesters gathered at Place de la Republique in the early afternoon.

Demonstrators also rallied in Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier over the weekend, as well as in Brussels and Liege in Belgium, according to organisers.

Hundreds joined the Montpellier protest, which included a sit-in and speeches. Two people threw small stones at some of the protestors, an AFP correspondent saw.

"This is our daily life," said one of the organisers, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

"Today, there is an urgent need to defend the rights of all people at a time when right-wing and far-right politicians are attacking the rights of trans people and disseminating false information about trans-identifying children."

Among the young Paris crowd, an older couple said they had come in hope of finding their 27-year-old child who left without trace after transitioning, leaving them "traumatised and devastated".

The protests followed a report by senators of the centre-right Republicans party on transgender minors.

Trans rights groups said the report allows for a return to "conversion therapy" -- a claims its authors deny.

Drawing on the report, lawmakers drafted a proposed bill of law that is scheduled to be debated on May 28.

Protestors also denounced a recent book "Transmania", which they branded transphobic.

Its authors deny the accusation, denouncing it as a bid for censorship. They say the book is an "investigation into the abuses of transgender identity".

(AFP)