Two gay men holding hands in the city center and in broad daylight were brutally attacked by a gang of young men. It happened twice in the space of a month: the day before yesterday in Battipaglia (Salerno) and on April 23rd Rome.
Pasquale Quaranta
""It could also happen in other European countries — comments the national president of Arcigay Sergio Lo Giudice – but the law would specifically punish such an assault, recognizing the aggravating circumstance of “hate crime” (hate crime), for discriminatory reasons, like a racist or anti-Semitic attack. In Italy, the opposite occurs: law 205 of 1993 (Mancino or “anti-Nazi skinhead” law”) protects against discrimination based on racial, ethnic, national or religious background.""
""THE'’sexual orientation, one of the main causes of discrimination and social intolerance, has been left out: this anomaly with respect to the European Constitution itself risks translating into a safe conduct for those who wish to unleash their aggression on homosexual people".
""It is necessary — continues Lo Giudice — to pass a serious law against discrimination as soon as possible protect gays, lesbians and transgender people from acts of hatred, violence, or ridicule. At the same time, given the very young age of the attackers, we denounce the grave responsibility of Italian schools, which do nothing to educate people about respect for diversity and the overcoming of prejudice and discrimination.
Just yesterday, May 17, on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, the President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell He recalled the principle of non-discrimination regarding sexual orientation, adding: "While it may be true that homosexuality is more open today than in the past, discrimination based on sexual orientation remains a serious problem experienced by millions of people worldwide and within the European Union. It remains our duty to continue to combat moral discrimination and physical violence related to sexual orientation.".
“"Unfortunately — concludes the president of Arcigay — Italy is still far from this wind of freedom that blows throughout Europe, stopping inexorably beyond the Alps.".
From "Gaynews.it""
Gay Couple Attacked in Front of Italia 1 Cameras
‘It happened in the Salerno area during the filming of "Lucignolo""
SALERNO – A young gay man from Salerno was attacked and beaten in front of the cameras of 'Lucignol,' the Italia 1 television program. The attack occurred yesterday evening in Battipaglia (Salerno), where Pasquale Quaranta, 22, spokesperson for 'Aspettando il Pride 200', which will take place in the historic center of Salerno starting June 24, lives with his family.
""Lucignolo's cameras arrived in Battipaglia yesterday morning," the young man explains, "to document in a story how the topic of homosexuality is experienced in a southern province. Yesterday, the crew from the Italia 1 program," he explains, "spent the whole day at my house. They wanted to understand how 'homosexuality' is accepted in a southern family. Then last night came the unfortunate incident, when it was decided to film a scene on the city streets with me holding hands with my partner.".
""Well," the story continues, "with the hidden camera, I started walking hand in hand with my friend Eddy, a boy my age. However, when we reached Piazza della Madonnina, near the Edmondo De Amicis elementary school, we were surrounded by six boys who, after verbally attacking us, began beating us. In the end, both Eddy and I were forced to seek medical care at the hospital. We each received a two-day prognosis for the injuries we sustained.".
Pasquale Quaranta had already been the victim of attacks in the past. These days the young journalist and former contributor to several local newspapers is busy drafting the program of the Salerno Pride, which will be presented to the press tomorrow at the Town Hall.
