LGBTQ Individuals Who Have Received France's Highest Honours
France offers several national honours for civilians who have made remarkable contributions to the country, its language and culture. The most notable of these awards include the highest civilian honour Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour) and the Ordre du Mérite (Order of Merit). These awards are available to both French nationals, and to individuals from other countries who have upheld the ideals of the country.
The vast majority of individuals honoured with the awards come from the arts and cultural professions. This includes poets, writers, photographers, artists, dancers, historians, musicians, fashion designers, and actors. Several business leaders and politicians have also been honoured with the awards.
Canada
- AA Bronson, artist
- Edith Butler, musician
- Rene Cormier, politician
- Clemence Desrochers, author and broadcaster
- Charles Pachter, artist
- Michel Tremblay, novelist and playwright
Cuba
- Joaquin Nin-Culmell, pianist and composer
France
- Stephane Bern, magazine editor
- Alain Danielou, historian and musicologist
- Daniel Defert, AIDS activist
- Gisele Freund, photographer
- Stephane Grappelli, jazz violinist
- Yves Navarre, author
- Donald Potard, fashion
- Jean-Luc Romero, politician
- Nicole Stephane, actor and film producer
- Jean-Yves Thibaudet, classical pianist
Great Britain
- Sir Cecil Beaton, photographer
- Dirk Bogarde, film and theatre actor
Italy
- Valentino Garavani, fashion designer
Lebanon
- Etel Adnan, poet
Russia
- Serge Lifar, ballet dancer
Spain
- Nacho Duato, ballet dancer and choreographer
Switzerland
- Hugues Cuenod, Opera singer
Taiwan
- Lin Hwai-min, theatre director and choreographer
Turkey
- Elif Shafak, author
United States
- Josephine Baker, entertainer
- Bill Cunningham, photographer
- Richard Howard, Poet
- Ellsworth Kelly, artist
- Paul Taylor, dance choreographer
