Italian General Fired for Being Homophobic in His Book

Samwel Eviator

General Roberto Vannacci, a seasoned military veteran, has been relieved of his duties as the head of Italy’s Military Geographical Institute following the release of a book containing divisive and offensive content. The book, titled “The World Backwards,” emerged on Amazon.com earlier this month, catching many by surprise, including the defense ministry and high-ranking officials.

Vannacci, 54, who had led Italian contingents during deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, sparked outrage with his written opinions that vehemently attacked homosexuality, marginalized communities, and other groups.

In the controversial book, he controversially claims that homosexuals are not “normal” and lambasts what he terms the “dictatorship of minorities,” singling out feminists, environmentalists, people of color, and immigrants.

General Roberto Vannacci, 54, a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, was dismissed as head of Italy's Military Geographical Institute, a post he took up in June, Italian news outlets reported. [Photo/ Facebook] — General Roberto Vannacci, 54, a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, was dismissed as head of Italy’s Military Geographical Institute, a post he took up in June, Italian news outlets reported. [Photo/ Facebook]

The release of the book prompted swift and widespread condemnation, with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto leading the charge against General Vannacci’s views.

Crosetto, a co-founder of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party, labeled the content as “personal ramblings of a general” and argued that such perspectives had tarnished the reputation of Italy’s armed forces.

Crosetto announced that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against Vannacci in light of the disturbing content.

***The Italian Army distanced itself from the book, saying it had not reviewed the text before it was published. [PHOTO: ROBERTO VANNACCI/FACEBOOK]***

The book’s self-publication on Amazon.com raised eyebrows within the military establishment. The defense ministry did not deny the reports surrounding Vannacci’s dismissal, acknowledging that the information was indeed accurate. Military officials confirmed that the army had no prior knowledge of the book’s release and its divisive contents.

In response to the uproar, General Vannacci defended himself during an appearance on television channel Rete4. He expressed astonishment at the controversy, stating that he had not anticipated the firestorm that his book would unleash.

Vannacci maintained that his book was a platform to express “my thoughts, without offending anyone.”

Subscribe to Switch TV