Gheorghe Flutur

Gheorge Flutur (b. 8 July 1960 in Botoşana, Suceava County) is a Romanian politician, member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was previously a member of the National Liberal Party, which he resigned from in November 2006. Between December 2004 and November 2006, Flutur was the Minister of Agriculture in the Tăriceanu government (as a Liberal Party member). In December 2006, Flutur joined the new Liberal Democratic Party as vice-president in December 2006.

Homophobic comments

Flutur generated controversy in June 2007 when, as the vice-president of the Liberal Democrats, he was asked how he would react if a party colleague of his was gay. Flutur replied by stating that, "We haven't thought about this but, personally, I would firmly be one who would support colder relations with this person. In this way, Christian morality must be the one that we should follow."

In a "Cotidianul" editorial published in reaction to Flutur's remark, Costi Rogozanu accused the politician of "fundamental hypocrisy" and homophobic populism. [ro icon Costi Rogozanu, [http://www.cotidianul.ro/index.php?id=11329&art=30054&cHash=b5e3e522eb Ipocrizii cu gay şi sinucigase] , "Cotidianul", 7 June 2007]

In June 2007, during Bucharest's annual GayFest, Flutur also stated in a TV interview that he has "a poor opinion" of LGBT people, and that he disapproves of the liberties they have obtained. [ro icon Simona Ionescu, [http://www.e-click.ro/articole/flutur-nu-i-place-pe-homo/24061 Flutur nu-i place pe «homo»] , "Click.ro", 8 June 2007]

The National Council for Combating Discrimination, Romania's equality body, condemned Flutur's "homophobic discourse and inappropriate language". [ro icon [http://www.obiectivdesuceava.ro/index.php?page=articol&ids=30644 CNCD condamna public discursul public homofob al unor politicieni români] , Obiectivul de Suceava]

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