Christian Vanneste

In January 2006, Vanneste became the first French citizen to be fined €3,000 (in the first instance, but later relaxed) for his homophobic remarks. During a debate in the National Assembly of France, and afterwards in the media, he declared homosexual behavior a threat to the survival of humanity, and "morally inferior" to heterosexuality.^[1] The judgement, after a refused appeal, was eventually cancelled by the Cour de cassation on 12 November 2008.^[2]

In 2012, Vanneste again encountered controversy after referring to the deportation from France of homosexuals in the Holocaust as a "famous legend", though he acknowledges that they were persecuted in other parts of the Reich.^[3] Vanneste may or may not face Holocaust denial charges for the comment. He nevertheless received the support of Serge Klarsfeld the famous French "nazi-hunter".^[4] Dominique de Villepin, the former French Prime Minister also admitted that "on historical grounds", his comments were true.^[5]

He belongs to the Club de l'horloge (today Carrefour de l'horloge).^[6]

• Webpage at the Assemblée Nationale website (in French)
• Official blog (in French)