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France still has a serious problem with homophobia. Even living in Paris, I have experienced homophobia. When we got married I took my husband’s last name and dropped my own and there were comments like “Oh so you’re the woman then” or “No REAL man would do that. " I must constantly state that I am his HUSBAND on paper, not his partner or companion (sorry I’m not a dog). When the section of the paperwork only has “HUSBAND AND/OR WIFE”, people don’t understand my anger. My most vivid encounter with homophobia in France is the day that I had to go validate my French spousal visa. When I told the doctor who was examining me that I had a husband, he actually said “That doesn’t sound right. "
When I was in the room to take a French exam with all the other French spouses, The examiner didn’t even feel the need to say “ladies and gentlemen” even though I was there. He kept saying “ladies”.
Being both Black and gay in France isn’t the pleasure cruise that most African Americans or gay people would have you believe. Acts of racism in France against blacks are far less than in the United States, but a whopping 34 percent of French people said they would be uncomfortable with a black neighbor. Being Black presents its own set of challenges and, if I may say so, some opportunities that I have in the United States may not always be so readily available here.