On Thursday 13 November 2008, from 8pm, the Anti-Homophobia Evening will be held at the ARCI “Borgo B” club in Via Bernabei 40/a, Parma., in response to the racist and discriminatory attacks carried out by Oltretorrente neighborhood councilor Salvarani.
To this end, in the Borgo Bernabei premises, together with the radical association Certi Diritti, the Signature drive calling for Salvarani's resignation because, with its prejudices and homophobic attitudes, it does not represent the tolerant and supportive spirit and culture that has always characterized the inhabitants of this area.
Also present at this evening will be the National President of Arcigay Aurelio Mancuso and the top national leaders of “Certi Diritti”, as well as representatives of UDU, ARCI, CGIL, Amnesty International, the local PD, Young Democrats, Communist Refoundation and others.
The three senators who signed the parliamentary question (Perduca, Poretti, Soliani) and leading members of the Italian Radicals will also be present.
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ARCIGAY PRESS RELEASE – November 8, 2008
Questions from Senators Donatella Poretti, Marco Perduca, and Albertina Soliani
to the Minister for Equal Opportunities
Given that:
In October, a question was presented to the Municipality of Parma by Stefano Salvarani, councilor of the Oltretorrente district of the "Impegno per Parma" party. He asked the President of the district, Marina Ravanetti, at the Municipality to carry out greater controls on the activities of the new Arci club, "Borgo B", located in the Bernabei district, as it is managed by two homosexuals;
subsequently, a letter was presented containing the request by the club's managers for "an immediate and public distancing from the discriminatory and homophobic position of councilor Stefano Salvarani. Both the mayor Pietro Vignali and the group leaders of "Impegno per Parma" in the city council (Vittorio Guasti) and in the neighborhood council (Salvatore Gerace) ask that this distancing lead to his removal from the group."
The "accused" councilor defended himself by stating that "under pressure from some citizens who were concerned about the reopening of the club under this new homosexual management and that it could become an Arcigay organization, I requested an inspection from the Municipality to verify that everything was in order and that the relevant regulations were being respected to protect the residents of the area."
The club's managers also announced their intention to start a petition calling for Salvarani's resignation from the neighborhood council. At the same time, they announced they would be organizing an "anti-homophobic and solidarity evening" on Thursday, November 13th, to address "the prejudice and racist instincts expressed by the councilor with his request."
to know:
whether the minister is aware of the facts in detail and whether he intends to express solidarity with the managers of the venue;
whether the Minister confirms the need to promote a campaign against discrimination, through legislative instruments and by engaging local administrations as the first bulwark against all forms of homophobic prejudice.