Bologna, 25 September 2013 – “What is being unleashed in Italy after the vote in the Chamber on the law against homotransphobia has now become real homophobic propaganda”: this is how Flavio Romani, president of Arcigay, comments on the news of the homophobic banners put up by Forza Nuova in Naples and Salerno. "These days," Romani continues, "expressions of hatred directed at the LGBT community are on the rise, in the form of fanatical slogans, as in this case, or in the form of public conferences without debate. These latter are often organized by Catholic associations, which in numerous Italian cities (Verona, Turin, and Milan, to name the main ones), often with the support of institutions, are mobilizing to spread genuine social alarm about homosexual people and their families, portrayed as a threat to traditional values. "Is this," Romani asks, "the freedom of expression that Parliament is concerned with protecting? What is the hostility this propaganda is building around gay teenagers struggling with their coming out? Who is responsible for this climate and the consequences it has on the lives of so many citizens who still lack the slightest recognition in this country?" "For our part," Romani concludes, "we reiterate our call to parliamentarians to address the issue of hate crimes without resorting to compromise and instead focusing on solving the problem of discrimination against LGBT people, which is a real cause for concern in this country.".
