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Front National fear of ‘gay lobby’: Marine Le Pen appoints Sébastien Chenu as cultural adviser Front National fear of ‘gay lobby’: Marine Le Pen appoints Sébastien Chenu as cultural adviser
(about 13 hours later)
The deep rifts within Marine Le Pen’s far right movement in France have been exposed by the appointment of a senior gay activist as her “cultural” adviser.The deep rifts within Marine Le Pen’s far right movement in France have been exposed by the appointment of a senior gay activist as her “cultural” adviser.
The recruitment of Sébastien Chenu, founder of the GayLib movement in France, came shortly after the magazine Closer outed a senior figure in the Front National, Florian Philippot.The recruitment of Sébastien Chenu, founder of the GayLib movement in France, came shortly after the magazine Closer outed a senior figure in the Front National, Florian Philippot.
Although Mr Philippot’s sexual orientation was well-known in the Parisian political-media village, it was not generally known to FN grass-roots voters.Although Mr Philippot’s sexual orientation was well-known in the Parisian political-media village, it was not generally known to FN grass-roots voters.
The two events have brought to the surface long-suppressed tensions within the FN – and the even wilder shores of the French far right – over an alleged “gay lobby” surrounding Ms Le Pen.The two events have brought to the surface long-suppressed tensions within the FN – and the even wilder shores of the French far right – over an alleged “gay lobby” surrounding Ms Le Pen.
 
According to one FN official, Laurent Brice, Ms Le Pen has become a “gay icon” to many right-wing French homosexuals. They like her relative liberalism on social issues and adore her virulent opposition to Islam, which brands homosexuality as a mortal sin.According to one FN official, Laurent Brice, Ms Le Pen has become a “gay icon” to many right-wing French homosexuals. They like her relative liberalism on social issues and adore her virulent opposition to Islam, which brands homosexuality as a mortal sin.
The problem is that much of the FN grassroots remains attached to the “traditional values” – including homophobia – expounded by her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. The problem is that much of the FN grassroots remains attached to the “traditional values” – including homophobia – expounded by her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. 
While Ms Le Pen rides high in the polls, she is untouchable. The events of the past few days suggest, however, that anger within the FN is growing. While Ms Le Pen rides high in the polls, she is untouchable. The events of the past few days suggest, however, that anger within the FN is growing. 
The “capture” of Mr Chenu – previously an adviser to a former President, Nicolas Sarkozy – was furiously denounced by traditionalist members of the Front National’s political bureau on Friday. The rebellion was led by the former deputy leader of the party, Bruno Gollnisch, and by Marine Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal-Le Pen.The “capture” of Mr Chenu – previously an adviser to a former President, Nicolas Sarkozy – was furiously denounced by traditionalist members of the Front National’s political bureau on Friday. The rebellion was led by the former deputy leader of the party, Bruno Gollnisch, and by Marine Le Pen’s niece, Marion Maréchal-Le Pen.
The switchboard of the party’s headquarters at Nanterre in the western suburbs of Paris was swamped for two days with angry calls from FN members.The switchboard of the party’s headquarters at Nanterre in the western suburbs of Paris was swamped for two days with angry calls from FN members.
To head off the protests, Ms Le Pen dropped plans to give Mr Chenu a paid job as an adviser on global threats to “French culture”. He will, however, remain an unpaid cultural adviser and will run as an FN candidate in county council elections in March.
The avowedly racist and anti-gay French ultra-right – represented by the magazine Minute – has long suggested Marine Le Pen is surrounded by a “gay lobby”. The party’s secretary general, Steeve Briois, mayor of Hénin-Beaumont near Lille, was outed in a book 12 months ago. He has sued for “invasion of privacy” – as has Mr Philippot – but neither has troubled to deny their sexual orientation.The avowedly racist and anti-gay French ultra-right – represented by the magazine Minute – has long suggested Marine Le Pen is surrounded by a “gay lobby”. The party’s secretary general, Steeve Briois, mayor of Hénin-Beaumont near Lille, was outed in a book 12 months ago. He has sued for “invasion of privacy” – as has Mr Philippot – but neither has troubled to deny their sexual orientation.
At least two other senior figures in Ms Le Pen’s modernised FN are said to be gay. In an article last year, Minute reported allegations by party traditionalists that “60 per cent” of senior FN figures promoted since Ms Le Pen, 46, replaced her father as leader four years ago, were homosexual.At least two other senior figures in Ms Le Pen’s modernised FN are said to be gay. In an article last year, Minute reported allegations by party traditionalists that “60 per cent” of senior FN figures promoted since Ms Le Pen, 46, replaced her father as leader four years ago, were homosexual.
The publication by Closer of images of Mr Philippot, 33, an FN vice-president, on a visit to Vienna with an unnamed, male television journalist has been condemned by politicians of both right and left in France. Ms Le Pen described the magazine as a “rag”.The publication by Closer of images of Mr Philippot, 33, an FN vice-president, on a visit to Vienna with an unnamed, male television journalist has been condemned by politicians of both right and left in France. Ms Le Pen described the magazine as a “rag”.
Gay and lesbian activists have, however, defended Closer’s decision to publish the story. Yannick Barbe, editor of the gay magazine Tétu, said that it was “clearly in the public interest” for French people to know the sexual orientation of a leading figure in a party that has “consistently opposed human rights and attacked other minorities”.Gay and lesbian activists have, however, defended Closer’s decision to publish the story. Yannick Barbe, editor of the gay magazine Tétu, said that it was “clearly in the public interest” for French people to know the sexual orientation of a leading figure in a party that has “consistently opposed human rights and attacked other minorities”.
Under Ms Le Pen, the FN has taken a more liberal line on some social issues, including homosexual rights. Although the party opposed the legalisation on gay marriage last year, Ms Le Pen refused to join the large, homophobic demonstrations against the new law.Under Ms Le Pen, the FN has taken a more liberal line on some social issues, including homosexual rights. Although the party opposed the legalisation on gay marriage last year, Ms Le Pen refused to join the large, homophobic demonstrations against the new law.
Himself left-wing, Didier Lestrade, founder of Act Up Paris, says many gay people have right-wing political views. In a book published last year, he said homosexuals were finding they were now accepted more easily in the Front National than by the left-wing or centre-right parties.Himself left-wing, Didier Lestrade, founder of Act Up Paris, says many gay people have right-wing political views. In a book published last year, he said homosexuals were finding they were now accepted more easily in the Front National than by the left-wing or centre-right parties.