Giancarlo Gentilini

The shocking homophobic statements of Treviso's deputy mayor Giancarlo Gentilini, confirm what we have been saying for a long time, that is, that a hate campaign against homosexual people is underway.

to ""ethnic cleansing of the asses"" launched by Gentilini needs a finally convincing response from all the institutions. We appeal to the Minister of the Interior to intervene against an administration that incites violence and hatred, which cannot be compatible with the role of representatives of local institutions.

The clearly expressed will to expel gays from the municipality of Treviso cannot be tolerated and for this reason we formally ask for the’intervention by all state bodies responsible for the control, prevention and repression of crimes against the personal and collective freedom of homosexual persons.

Aurelio Mancuso
National President of Arcigay

ZAN: IN TREVISO WITH A PINK TRIANGLE
Saturday 11 August 2007 at 12pm in front of the Town Hall

Treviso

In front of Treviso's town hall, we will demonstrate against the shameful statements of pro-mayor Gentilini, who openly speaks of ethnic cleansing against homosexuals.

These are Gentilini's statements we thought we'd never hear again. After homosexuals were deported to Nazi Germany's concentration camps, we thought such hateful attitudes were buried under democratic norms.

For this reason we invite all of democratic Treviso to participate in the large demonstration that will be held in Treviso in front of the town hall at 12 noon on Saturday 11 August 2007.

We invite all those who wish to participate to wearing a pink triangle, a symbol of homosexual prisoners in concentration camps. On this occasion, we will also have a public kiss-in to demonstrate that affection has no boundaries and must be respected regardless of one's sexual orientation.

Alessandro Zan
President of Arcigay Veneto

From "Repubblica.it"

Gentilini: "Ethnic cleansing against the big asses." Treviso's deputy mayor declares war on gays.

'The former League sheriff mayor announces a crackdown on homosexuals: "They should go to the provincial capitals that welcome them. We don't want them here.""

TREVISO – "We need to start an "ethnic cleansing against the bottoms." With these harsh words, Giancarlo Gentilini, deputy mayor of Treviso from the Northern League, declared war on homosexuals. They are guilty of turning the parking lot on Via del'Ospedale into a meeting place where sexual relations are carried out, sparking protests from local residents. ""I will immediately give instructions to my commander of the municipal police to carry out ethnic cleansing of the asses – the former League sheriff mayor told Rete Veneta, local newspapers reported today – They must go to other regional capitals that are willing to welcome them. Here in Treviso there is no chance for big asses and the like.".

Gentilini is known for repeatedly being the subject of heated controversies, most recently after the beating of MP Vladimir Luxuria by Russian police. His comments on immigrants, whom he called "wasters," particularly garnered attention, suggesting that "immigrants' dinghies should be sunk with bazooka fire.".

And now he's announced a crackdown on homosexuals and swingers. "We'll use video surveillance to curb the comings and goings of swingers," residents reported in the "red-light" parking lot, where prostitutes have also been reported. "I'll order the cameras to be reinforced. But I'm more interested in conducting targeted checks," Gentilini added. "When my police patrol the area, there'll be a stampede.".

For the mayor of Treviso Giampaolo Gobbo, The deputy mayor's statements "are not worrying. It's his way of being. He speaks sincerely, in a concrete language that everyone understands. In this case, we're talking about public decorum, and we're trying to move gays, prostitutes, homosexual or heterosexual couples—it makes no difference—who engage in affection before the eyes of so many people." A problem, Gobbo explains, of national proportions, "and in fact we're working to change the Merlin law. We need to reopen brothels and create 'red-light districts' like they do in the rest of Europe: they guarantee healthcare and tax payments.".

But gay associations are declaring war. "We cannot," explains Rossana Praitano, president of the Mario Mieli Gay Culture Circle, "remain silent after shocking statements like these. For this reason, we will sue the deputy mayor for apology of Nazism. We appeal to the Minister of the Interior," adds Arcigay national president Aurelio Mancuso, "to intervene against an administration that incites violence.""

And in response to Gentilini's comments, Democratic Left MP Franco Grillini proposes organizing "an immediate 'kiss-in' in Treviso, accompanied by the inauguration of a 'gay street.'" "It's important," Grillini explains, "to immediately launch protests, as was done in Rome for the famous homosexual kiss.""