Tensions Rise Ahead of Pau’s Upcoming Pride March
Growing Divide Within Pau’s LGBT+ Community
With the fourth edition of Pau’s LGBT+ Pride March just around the corner on Saturday, September 27, fractures are beginning to show within the local LGBT+ activist network. In an unexpected turn of events earlier this June, eight members broke away from the Arcolan association to launch a new group called Arcolan Pau Béarn. This split has sparked confusion and conflict over who should lead the planning for Pride, casting a shadow over preparations.
Legal Battle Stems From Organizational Split
Michaëlla Clapisson, president of the Centre LGBT+ Sud-Aquitaine — which oversees regional associations including Nos Couleurs (Landes), Les Bascos (Basque Country), and Arcolan (Béarn) — addressed the rupture, calling it a “deep internal crisis.” Out of approximately 20 active members, eight chose to sever their ties, igniting controversy in the process.
Clapisson claims that the breakaway group acted unlawfully by continuing to use the original association’s name and accessing sensitive personal data tied to members. She described these actions as “both illegal and aggressive,” pointing to serious breaches of trust and a disruptive effect on the organization’s unity and operations.
Dispute Over Pride March Sparks Wider Concerns
Both Arcolan and the newly formed Arcolan Pau Béarn are now vying for control over Pau’s annual LGBT+ Pride event. This tug-of-war brings not only administrative hurdles but also broader questions about leadership, authenticity, and representation within the local LGBTQIA+ movement.
If left unresolved, this internal discord could overshadow the Pride event itself — threatening the core values of solidarity, visibility, and inclusion that the march aims to celebrate.
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