Arcigay's recreational venues are increasingly offering space for cultural and political initiatives, but Gianni Cogliati, President of the Company Club on Via Benadir in Milan, is no stranger to organizing public debates on current issues.
Company Club
And so, on Wednesday, May 26, in the Circolo hall, Andrea Benedino, candidate on the Uniti nell'Ulivo list and national spokesperson for gays in the DS, Monica Frassoni, candidate on the Greens list and outgoing president of the Green group in Strasbourg, and Gianni Vattimo, candidate on the Italian Communist Party list, a world-renowned philosopher, met.
The theme of the meeting: Gays Demand Europe. On June 12th and 13th, elections will be held for the renewal of the European Parliament, an institution that has supported the rights of LGBT people with several resolutions and recommendations.
Aurelio Mancuso, In introducing the guests, he recalled that Arcigay and Arcilesbica Nazionale have launched a campaign to identify the parties and candidates to support and those to avoid. A questionnaire drafted by Ilga Europe was sent to all parties, and the responses have now essentially all arrived. The Arcigay website (www.arcigay.it) offers a list of the "good and the bad," updated daily.
Andrea Benedino He recounted his journey of advocacy for gay rights, noting some of the challenges inherent in the Italian left's historical delays. He urged gays to support those who, in addition to waging a battle in society, are fully committed to ensuring that the left, in Italy too, is a protagonist of concrete change. Finally, Benedino recalled how, in recent years, the commitment of gay members of the DS has changed the party's stance, as demonstrated by the introduction of the PACS bill, which is supported by 161 parliamentarians and the entire LGBT movement.
Monica Frassoni, forcefully reiterated that this election campaign needs to focus more on Europe, especially because those elected must be aware that a social and rights-based Europe still needs to be built. Frassoni agreed with Arcigay's proposal to form an intergroup of Italian elected officials to focus on individual rights and freedoms. An intergroup made up of parliamentarians from all countries has been working in recent years, but it is certainly necessary to monitor the Italian situation more closely. The Greens have always been committed to the recognition of gay and lesbian rights, and in particular, attention must be paid to the issue of mutual recognition by national governments of legislation on asylum and forms of cohabitation.
Gianni Vattimo, analyzed the particular historical moment: on one side, a united but not strong Europe; on the other, Bush's United States, which seeks to establish its model through force and preemptive war. In this situation, attention to rights and freedoms risks becoming secondary, also because European conservative forces view Europe more as a large market rather than a political entity where guarantees and rights are extended. For these reasons, it is useful to vote left and strengthen the presence of those who oppose a liberal, but not libertarian, conception of the world.
The large audience that followed the debate posed many questions. References to current events in Milan were also made, such as the authorities' attempt to block the June 5th march through Piazza Duomo and the press campaign on child prostitution. Numerous calls were also made for the left to be more courageous and fully commit to gay rights.
Gianni and Vincenzo offered refreshments including fruit cake and sangria, and the debate continued in a more informal manner between candidates and members of the Club.
INFO
Arcigay Company Club
Via Benadir 14, 20132 Milan
TEL 02.2829481
