Of Paolo Patanè, National President of Arcigay
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, which highlighted the urgent need for measures to support same-sex families, the requests we've received in recent days clearly demonstrate that the country has given a resounding "yes" to LGBT rights, same-sex marriage, and civil unions, and a resounding "no" to homophobia and transphobia.
The responses of civil society have been complemented by the valuable commitment of those institutions that, with a strong sense of national identity, strive every day to fight for the common good and against discrimination. This is the case of UNAR, the National Anti-Discrimination Office, ISTAT, and OSCAD, the Observatory against Discrimination in Law Enforcement. This Observatory, established by Prefect Manganelli and General Galitelli, is establishing itself as an indispensable instrument of justice and the fight against violence, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination in an Italy that still believes in the principles of the Constitution and leaves political parties behind.
The yes to marriage and civil unions is now unanimous.
“"Vanity Fair" has published an important dossier, featuring photographs of numerous same-sex couples, among them dozens, who married abroad to obtain rights denied in Italy. A survey published by the same newspaper states that two out of three Italians say yes to gay couples. Furthermore, a petition launched on the "Vanity Fair" website to urge Minister Fornero on the issue quickly garnered over 5,000 signatures. It will continue to gather more.
Today, "Il Fatto Quotidiano" released a striking video of street interviews, in which Italians once again confidently express their "yes" to gay marriage. And they do so for the same reasons Arcigay has championed for the past 30 years: full citizenship, equality, humanity, democracy, and a strong desire for a better future. A survey on the newspaper's website shows 60% support these measures.
The farce the political parties display when questioned about these issues remains disheartening. On the center-right, the debate is stuck on a family that wasn't even fit for the twenty-year period; on the center-left, the issue is swept under the rug or, at best, is wasted effort. Isn't it time to put an end to the ignoble exile of the affections of gays and lesbians, citizens like everyone else? Isn't it time to extend the Mancino Law to homophobic crimes?
Paolo Patanè, national president of Arcigay
