MP faces jail over anti-gay comments !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daanyeer]

Source: telegraph
December 27, 2005 Author: Colin Randall
For Education and Discussion Only. Not for Commercial Use.



A French MP faces jail and a heavy fine after being accused of offending homosexuals by saying they represent a "threat to humanity".



In France's first criminal prosecution under a year-old amendment of an 1881 law on press freedom, Christian Vanneste was taken to court by gay rights groups.

The modified law outlaws insults based on gender or sexual orientation and allows for up to six months' imprisonment and a £15,000 fine.

The public prosecutor at the trial in Lille said Vanneste was guilty as charged but made no recommendation on how he should be punished. Judgment on the case will be given on Jan 24.

Three groups - SOS Homophobie, Act Up-Paris and Sneg, a national umbrella organisation for gay businesses - joined forces to prosecute Vanneste after comments made in parliament were allegedly repeated by him to two newspapers.

Vanneste, 58, a professor of philosophy, regards himself as being on the Right of the ruling UMP party which has not supported him.

The MP, who denies breaking the law, protested in court that he did not say homosexuality was dangerous, but that it was inferior to heterosexuality and could, in extreme circumstances, become a danger to mankind.