Catholic Lesbian Woman Resigns from Scouting Leadership Due to Verbal Attacks

A Catholic lesbian woman in France has stepped down from her role as head of one of the nation’s largest youth leadership organization because of criticism that arose about both her sexuality and her political ideas.  

Marine Rosset

Marine Rosset was overwhelmingly elected to be the president of Scouts and Guides of France, a Catholic movement that seeks to bolster education and citizenship among French youth. She won 22 out of 24 votes when she was elected on Saturday, June 14, and as a former history teacher, elected official, and vice president of the organization since 2022, she was well-poised to lead the organization. 

Rosset resigned because of what Katholische.de described as “massive hostility, homophobic attacks, and death threats.” Complaints from conservative Catholics drew a strong response from Rosset:

“It was claimed that with my election, the association would lose its Catholicism or Christian identity – yet my faith is my fundamental belief!” 

As for being a member of France’s Socialist Party, Rosset said “I expected there would be questions, notably about my political commitments. But my commitment is in line with the scouting commitment. …There is pluralism within France’s Scouts and Guides. Given the current tensions in society, our movement is important for young people and the Church so that the tent remains wide, as the prophet Isaiah said.”

She explained her resignation by stating,“The situation had become untenable, and my concern is to protect the organization.”  Since her election, “every word I said was scrutinized. I could no longer speak freely like any other citizen,” she stated.

Clément Barré, priest of the Diocese of Bordeaux and a member of the scouting organization, said of Rosset’s identity as a lesbian woman: “When one aspires to take on responsibilities in a Catholic organization, it seems essential to me to not publicly defend positions that contradict the teachings of the Church,” according to Le Monde.

The scouting organization supported Rosset, and in a statement condemned the attacks directed towards her, particularly the homophobic messages.  Neither her personal or political decisions were seen as detrimental to the organization, they said.

Rosset will continue to serve the scouting organization on their board.

—Elsie Carson-Holt, New Ways Ministry, August 16, 2025