The National Council of Arcigay, the political management body of the national association of Italian gays, concluded today in Bologna.
Among the topics discussed, from the opening of new local chapters to the commitment to the Milan Pride 2001 event on June 27th, a key consideration was the upcoming general election. At the end of the meeting, the Council approved an agenda item that, among other things, expressed concern over the stance of the Democrats of the Left, who have not yet expressed their support for gay rights or the election of representatives of the gay and lesbian movement to Parliament. Arcigay will ask its 100,000 members and the entire Italian gay community not to vote for anyone who has not made clear and specific commitments.
Here is the text of the agenda, approved unanimously.
To the three million Italian homosexuals: don't vote for anyone who isn't your friend.
The National Council of Arcigay, meeting in Bologna on 25 March 2001
Expresses
We are pleased with the political forces that have committed to embracing the gay movement's cause, endorsing Arcigay's platform and including prominent figures from the Italian gay and lesbian movement, such as Titti De Simone, Gianpaolo Silvestri, Nicki Vendola, Ezio Menzione, and Roberto Aere, among their candidates for parliamentary election.
Complaint
The homophobic and racist attitude of those parties, such as the Northern League, the CCD/CDU, AN who have made the attack on the rights of the homosexual population an electoral battle horse, in the silence of the entire House of Freedoms
He notes
The indifferent and disengaged attitude of parties traditionally considered close to the Italian gay and lesbian movement, such as the Democrats of the Left, is worrying and uneasy. They have yet to resolve their commitment, in their programs and candidacies, to the struggles of the Italian gay and lesbian movement.
Resolution
To vote exclusively for parties that clearly and explicitly commit to supporting its struggles and for candidates who endorse its platform. There will be no concessions to other political forces. Anyone who isn't part of the solution to the gay issue in Italy is part of the problem. We will take this into account.
