[:en]On Saturday 23 March the National Council of Arcigay voted to allow the Castelli Romani – Massimo Consoli association to join Arcigay.
Here is our cover letter
Representing Arcigay in the vast, diverse, and heterogeneous Castelli Romani area, south of Rome, with a population of over 300,000, is a joy, an immense honor, and a source of pride for us. The idea of opening a local branch affiliated with Arcigay arose last summer, following the constant succession of homophobic and transphobic incidents, which had become increasingly frequent. And the desire to combat and stem hatred, unjustified intolerance, fear, and silence—perhaps the worst evil—through awareness-raising, socialization, and culture, drove us to engage with the magnificent organization and reality that is Arcigay.
Since December, alongside the support, collaboration, and collaboration with Arcigay Roma, local associations, and firsthand accounts, our group has held events focused on HIV and prevention; transsexuality and transphobia; gender violence; and new feminisms. We have fostered a cultural and reflective climate with constructive debates and many good intentions, opening our doors to everyone, welcoming everyone as if they were part of a small yet large family, listening to every single word.
All of this in a socially closed and restricted, sometimes suspicious, area that, as mentioned, has a considerable population. And the candidacy of Albano Laziale, the town where we have our headquarters, for Lazio Pride was confirmation of this, a testing ground, with harsh attacks from the opposition who attempted in every way to boycott and intimidate the event. Despite this, we forged ahead, continuing to engage with the administration, and taking to the streets on Valentine's Day for the #LoStessoBacio initiative, in support of all forms of love and Lazio Pride, with incredible positive feedback.
And since we actively established our working group, through thematic events and sharing material on social media, more and more people have reached out, enthusiastic about our work, asking for information and offering any kind of help or volunteering. From adults to high school students. We couldn't have asked for a greater gift than this, their joy at the opening of an Arcigay committee in the Castelli Romani area. We will continue on this path, with ever greater commitment, using every means at our disposal, actively and concretely fighting against all forms of gender violence, stereotypes, and discrimination, engaging the younger generations, schools, families, associations, and everyone, for a better life, a better future, and a better community; for rights that, nowadays, are increasingly at risk. Against a horrifying obscurantism that seeks to pillory us all, for the simple "guilt" of not being like the norm; of not loving who they say.
We are here, we will be there.
Arcigay Castelli Romani – Massimo Consoli
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