The Borromeo case has also reached the Senate: Five Star Movement Senator Montevecchi, in her speech today in the Senate chamber at Palazzo Madama, condemned the University of Pavia student's statements with these words:
“Once again, we are forced to report a very serious act of discrimination, both recurring and even more unbearable because it occurred in a place dedicated to culture and education: the university. We are referring to the homophobic and racist statements made by Daniele Borromeo, a member of the Department of Business and Economics at the University of Pavia. He claims, "Homosexuality is like the Mafia: it doesn't exist," and adds, "If laws against homophobia were passed, it would set a dangerous precedent. Then, for example, they would also want to protect women, and perhaps even non-EU citizens or Jews, not to mention people with disabilities." Now, fellow senators, you will understand that these unacceptable statements cannot be dismissed simply as provocation; they represent a true insult to human dignity and are shameful for a society that calls itself civilized. What concerns us even more is the danger that such statements will find fertile ground in a community that has seen the progressive dismantling of the educational and training systems for teaching and disseminating culture, generating the spread of ignorance and prejudice—evils from which laws alone will not be enough to save us. Without culture, we will never be a civilized people capable and worthy of evolving and fulfilling ourselves. By tolerating these outrageous statements and thousands of others that inspire and spread violence every day, we will allow the country to collapse into the barbarity of a chauvinistic, racist, homophobic, and femicide subculture. Therefore, the Five Star Movement hopes that the new government will mute the sad mantra "You can't eat culture" and make education and culture among its priorities, always remembering that one dies of ignorance.“
“"The Rector, after a long silence, has finally responded to us," said Alessandra Alvarez, President of Universigay, and Luca Contardi, of Arcigay Pavia. "However, this is not enough. We now await the establishment of the Guarantee Commission to address the case, as promised, within a certain timeframe. We also hope that the University of Pavia, as has been done at other universities, will have the strength to take the necessary disciplinary measures, thus taking a clear stance against discrimination, a stance that has not yet been taken in recent months."”
Alessandra Alvarez, Universigay
Luca Contardi, Arcigay Pavia
