This is exactly what happened at the University of Trieste, just 5 days before the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).
Luca Marsi, representative of the Political Science students elected with the AutonomaMente list and favourite candidate for the position of secretary, At the time of voting he was openly hindered because he was gay.
This is yet another act of homophobia, this time within the University of Trieste, which should be the epicenter of culture and open-mindedness. We regret to note that this is clearly not the case!
We don't care what the political views or religious beliefs of the people who committed this act may be; rather, we are interested in highlighting and bringing to everyone's attention the abuse perpetrated against a student who was socially engaged on several fronts. Refusing to vote for a candidate just because he or she is gay is undoubtedly an act of psychological violence..
The whole thing was then topped off with a derogatory epithet alluding to the alleged sexual orientation of the candidate in question, vilely written on some ballot papers, a fact that emerged during the counting operations.
We therefore urge the Rector, the Teaching Staff, the University and the community as a whole to express a clear position of condemnation for this latest act of homophobia, and against all discrimination in general.
The President of the Rainbow Circle
Arcigay Arcilesbica Trieste
(Maria Ginaldi)
The Vice President of the Rainbow Circle
Arcigay Arcilesbica Trieste
(Nicola Cicchitti)