Reggio Calabria, February 2, 2014 We are deeply outraged and deeply regretful about the interview with Calabria Regional President Giuseppe Scopelliti, which aired on February 1st and was recorded by RTV during the presentation of the first 20 NCD clubs at the Regional Council building (Giuditta Levato Hall). When asked by the interviewer, "Who is the NCD candidate, and who is next?", President Scopelliti, national coordinator of the NCD clubs, responded, "We don't want men who aren't courageous, or half-men, or men who are in love with other men. We like the idea of fielding men who are in love with women, who cherish relationships, and who see marriage as a man and a woman... When I draw this parallel, I mean that we want men who are in love with the city." It's unfortunate that, in a historical and social moment like the one we're experiencing in Italy (we witness daily acts of homophobic, transphobic, and gender-based discrimination, even when the distress doesn't escalate to extreme acts like suicide; the Senate is currently considering a bill against homophobia), it's still possible to assert a candidate selection criterion anchored to a macho, sexist, and homophobic conception of the superiority of heterosexual orientation and "maleness." This criterion has nothing to do with the realization of the Common Good, which should be the only true indicator of the political. This criterion is rooted in the principle of inclusion (certainly not exclusion) of every PERSON. The Regional Equal Opportunities Commission has repeatedly supported and sponsored Arcigay's activities, sharing its struggles and demands for the LGBT community. Therefore, we are even more astonished and disoriented by such statements, which offend not only members of the gay community, but also undermine and diminish the dignity of all Calabrians, without distinction, and the ongoing and voluntary work of Arcigay local chapters. Next Thursday afternoon, President Scopelliti will meet with us publicly at the Regional Council building to clarify this statement. A now-overused mea culpa would be yet another failure. What we urgently demand are concrete actions in support of the Calabrian gay community, to try to position the region, at least occasionally, at the top of the rankings when it comes to the fulfillment and protection of the Human Person in every aspect and specificity.
Lucio Dattola
President of Arcigay “I Due Mari” RC
Lavinia Durantini
President of Arcigay “EOS” CS
Francesco Bartolo Furfaro
President of Arcigay “Kaleidos” CZ
