THE NEWS
BULLYING: AGRIGENTO, 18-YEAR-OLD GAY REPORTS TORTURE BY PLAYMATES
Agrigento, May 22 – For months, he was harassed by his peers because he was gay. Finally, an 18-year-old from Licata (Agrigento) decided to report his tormentors, three boys and two girls. He told the police at the police station that His companions allegedly put out cigarettes on his arms several times and also damaged his scooter several times.. The police are investigating to determine exactly what happened.
PRESS RELEASE ARCIGAY SICILY
Arcigay Sicilia has learned with deep concern of the latest, very serious, incident of homophobic violence against an 18-year-old in the Province of Agrigento. We have complete confidence in the seriousness with which law enforcement will investigate the reported incidents, but we cannot help but emphasize, once again, the extreme urgency of specific legislation against these hate crimes.
We express affection, solidarity and admiration for a very young man who had the
courage to rebel against violence and denounce it. We ask the regional institutions to
intervene immediately with a comprehensive plan against bullying and discrimination, and prevent the lives of so many people from being humiliated and devastated by violence and abuse.
The Regional President of Arcigay Sicily
Paolo Patanè
[email protected]
ARCIGAY PRESS RELEASE
The serious episode of bullying, of which a 18-year-old from Agrigento, is nothing but the proof that what we have been denouncing for some time is true.
It is necessary to extend the hate crimes provided for by the Mancino law to include those based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The news is full of events like the one that happened to the young man from Licata, but we are aware of a greater number of acts of violence, bullying, or mobbing. Many gays, lesbians and trans people report the events they have suffered only to our helplines, in search of moral support, but then, out of fear, they do not report them to the judicial authorities..
We express solidarity and closeness to the Sicilian boy and We invite all victims to follow her example by reporting these facts in the hope that someone in government will realize that there is a problem of discomfort for homosexuals and that it must be addressed with laws that aim to protect and safeguard us.
Aurelio Mancuso
national president of Arcigay
