Delanoë's sexual orientation was not an issue in the campaign, his opponents and supporters alike professing indifference to his private life. But his openness about his homosexuality may nevertheless reflect the emergence of Paris as a European center of glbtq culture in the 1990s, with a distinctly gay neighborhood, Le Marais, increasingly large gay pride marches and parades, and a more aggressive brand of gay activism.

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Upon winning the election in March 2001, Delanoë quickly began implementing his programs. He tackled the twin problems of air pollution and traffic congestion by establishing special lanes for buses and bicycles to encourage Parisians to use forms of transportation other than private cars. He also ordered the closing of an expressway along the right bank of the Seine during the summer months. The latter idea soon evolved into Paris Plage ("Paris Beach"), which sees a two-mile stretch of the Pompidou Expressway turned into a sandy beach each year in July and August. The project, which receives strong underwriting support from businesses, has proven enormously popular with Parisians and attracts numerous visitors to the city.

Immediately upon beginning his term, Delanoë led a strong effort to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to Paris. The bid was attractive enough to make the city a finalist, but the International Olympic Committee eventually granted the games to London.

In 2002, Delanoë led Paris's pride parade, which drew a record crowd of more than 500,000 participants.

One of the cultural events that Delanoë introduced is the annual "Nuit Blanche," French slang for "sleepless night," an all-night festival of music, dance, and art held in public spaces and museums.

The inaugural celebration was held on the night of October 5-6, 2002. Delanoë mingled with revelers enjoying the festivities at various venues around the capital, but at around 2:30 in the morning, while greeting people in the reception room of the Hôtel de Ville (the main city hall building), he was assaulted and stabbed by Azedine Berkane, who was quickly apprehended by people on the scene.

Although gravely wounded, Delanoë remained in control of the situation. With "his voice full of authority, very calm," according to deputy mayor Christophe Gérard, Delanoë instructed his colleagues to see to it that the festival go on as intended.

The stab wounds that Delanoë suffered narrowly missed being fatal. Prompt medical response and surgery saved his life. His recuperation from the savage attack took several months, but fortunately he eventually made a full recovery.

Berkane, although armed with a five-inch knife, did not seem to have premeditated the attempted assassination of Delanoë, who was not scheduled to be at the Hôtel de Ville at the time.

Following his arrest, Berkane, who was unemployed and had a long criminal history of violence, drug use, and theft, stated to police that he "didn't like politicians and particularly didn't like homosexuals" and that upon finding himself in proximity to a "notorious homosexual," he, as the "weapon-bearing arm of the Koran," felt obliged to strike out at Delanoë because "the Koran advocates the execution of homosexuals."

Found mentally incompetent to stand trial, Berkane was consigned to a psychiatric hospital in 2004, but in April 2007 doctors there ruled that he should be allowed a three-month trial release on the condition that he check in regularly with case workers. Berkane instead fled, and an all-points bulletin on him was issued. He remained at large until May 22, when Paris police recaptured him and returned him to the psychiatric facility, where he was put into a high-security unit.

The assassination attempt on Delanoë, a hate crime motivated by and religious fanaticism, underlines the vulnerability of glbtq people even in a place as famous for its urbanity and tolerance as Paris.

As mayor, Delanoë has made great progress in a number of important areas. He has been aggressive in acquiring properties throughout the city and converting them to moderately-priced housing units. He has also effected a significant increase in the provision of day-care services for children. There is even a center in the Hôtel de Ville.

In the ongoing effort to reduce traffic congestion and resultant pollution, Delanoë is overseeing an extensive addition to the tramway system. When completed, the new route will circle Paris, making it possible for residents around the periphery to travel to their destinations without having to go through the crowded city center. To make Paris greener as well as cleaner, thousands of trees are being planted alongside the new tram line.

Recognizing the importance of technology, Delanoë has vigorously pursued a project to make free wireless internet access widely available. The program has begun by providing service in city buildings and public parks. Delanoë introduced a plan to offer tax breaks to companies that install fiber-optic cable in homes and businesses, and he hopes that by 2010 eighty percent of the buildings in Paris will be wired.

Delanoë keeps in touch with his constituents by holding informal town hall meetings twice a month at venues throughout the city's arrondissements (districts).

Delanoë enjoys a reputation for openness and honesty as well as for dedication to improving the quality of life in Paris.

In the United States, glbtq candidates have achieved some significant successes at the ballot box in the last three decades, running for and winning local, state, and national elections.

France, the second largest nation in Western Europe, has a rich, if markedly ambivalent, relationship to glbtq people and cultures.

Hate Crimes are crimes towards persons or groups motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Both parades and marches have served to render the glbtq community visible; whereas marches typically attempt to effect political change, parades and pride events affirm identity and community.

One of the world's most iconic cities and an influential hub of Western culture, Paris is also a major international glbtq center.

Justice Michael Kirby of the High Court of Australia is respected not only for his legal acumen but also for his devoted commitment to the cause of social justice in his homeland and also around the globe.