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Bologna, November 15, 2017 – “An important proposal, following similar initiatives already implemented in several regions, which holds local communities and institutions accountable for combating discrimination.” Gabriele Piazzoni, national secretary of Arcigay, commented on the regional bill against homotransphobia presented to the press today by Puglia Region President Michele Emiliano. "Emiliano," Piazzoni recalls, "had made a specific commitment to this law when, as a newly elected president, he celebrated May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Therefore, we want to give credit to the President for adhering to that commitment. Now, however, the Regional Council must approve it: in this regard, we hope for a broad, cross-party consensus that will quickly lead to the law's entry into force. Because in the absence of a national law that addresses hate crimes and speech against LGBTI people on a criminal level, it is important that local authorities take responsibility and implement countermeasures, especially in the fields of culture and education. Furthermore, this text places certain emphasis, first and foremost on intersex people, which have so far been completely invisible in the legislative sphere. This is a new development that absolutely must not go unnoticed. The hope is that, as soon as possible, other regions that have not yet embarked on this path will follow the example of Puglia and other areas where this goal has already been achieved. Only in this way can a The issue we are addressing today on a local level could once again have an impact on national politics, which has so far been impervious to our concerns,“ concludes Piazzoni.
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