Video: French filmmaker reaches out to those opposed to equal marriage: ‘Fear not’
A French filmmaker has posted a YouTube video of himself addressing those in France opposed to legalising equal marriage, in which he reaches out to them, and gives reassurances around common misconceptions linked to same-sex marriage.
In the video, in response to violent protests around equal marriage, posted by Mike Fédée, titled ‘Rassurez-vous – Fear Not’, he begins each sentence by saying “fear not”, and dispels stereotypes and false-claims by those opposed to equal marriage.
He says: “We will not fall in love with every man on the street,” followed by: “We are not just about drugs, alcohol, sex, clubs…”
Fédée then goes on to express his desire to raise children, and says: “We will not steal anybody’s children. Ours will fly into our lives, like the angels we expected for so long.”
The video ends with reassurances that “homophobes… can be more than violence, physical and verbal,” and goes on to say that in the future “I will accept your apologies.” He ends by saying: “I want to start over with you… this is not a threat. I’ve been telling you, since the beginning: Fear not.”
Tensions grew after it emerged last week that the National Assembly’s hearing of the marriage equality bill, which last week earned the approval of the Senate, would be brought. The final vote on the bill was due to take place in May, but is now scheduled for 23 April.
The full transcript from Fédée’s video is available to read below.
Fear not, in this debate on marriage equality, noone has lost. We are all winners. As we will live better, together.
Fear no, if I get married tomorrow you will not become less of a man, or of a woman. I will simply become the husband of mine.
Fear not, I am not asking you not to believe in your God any more. I am asking you to believe… in us.
Fear not, your God will never, blame you for dancing, singing, laughing, crying with us. When we say, ‘I do’ to one another.
Fear not, we will not fall in love with every man on the street, no.
Fear not, we are not just about drugs, alcohol, sex, clubs… no. We are no more, and no less than you. We are as much, as you.
Fear not, we will not steal anybody’s children. Ours will fly into our lives, like the angels we expected for so long.
Fear not, my child will not hit on yours in the sandbox.
Fear not, I will not be coming to school to pick up my child, dressed as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. And if I did… don’t judge a book by its cover.
Fear not, I will love my child. Fear not, I will never prevent my child from loving someone.
Fear not, if someday, you want to apologise to me, I will not turn my back to you.
Fear not, I will accept your apologies.
Fear not, We will never call for blood. Fear not homophobes. You can be more than violence, physical and verbal.
Fear not, fag bashers. Someday, when you talk about it with your kids shamefully, they will forgive you. Thanks to our children.
And that day, we will name you “the faggiven”.
Fear not, I want to start over with you. I want to rebuild with you. Fear not, this is not a threat.
I’ve been telling you, since the beginning: Fear not.
