Paolo Patanè knew. He too. The Sicilian who left for Rome and is now the head of Arcigay nationally was aware of the’union between the two women which was blessed a few days ago in the Waldensian church of Trapani and Marsala. He, too, had respected the brides' request for silence. And he, too, finds himself forced to gloss over questions regarding the service in which the two women were the protagonists.
“Obviously it is not a wedding – he says – it was the blessing of a union, there you go. I find it a gesture with a very strong symbolic impact, which should prompt a broader reflection. Moreover, I find it even more beautiful because it was not ostentatious. On the contrary, it was whispered, silently, with the spotlights off.
Thirty years ago, in Giarre, a young gay couple committed suicide. Today, two women are consecrating their union in Marsala. Palermo is caught in the middle. The same Palermo that is preparing to host the regional gay pride parade.
“These thirty years that separate us from that suicide mark an important, jagged, and not always serene journey. From that news story, the first Arcigay club in Italy was born in Palermo.. However, I see an incredible poetry in the whole story. Their visibility, the courage shown by these two women, partly comes from afar, from the journey that has been made over these thirty years, starting precisely from Giarre.".
And the Pride in Palermo?
“The Pride in Palermo is an important test for the entire city. That the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, ed.) has grown, that is a certain fact.. Now we need to consider the city's overall growth and Palermo's response to this event.".
Had it ever happened before that a union between two people of the same sex was blessed in a Sicilian church?
“No, as far as I know, it's the first time. I'm not aware of any other similar cases.”.
What do you think the reaction of the people of Marsala would have been?
“Well, people will have known. You see, I believe that nothing disarms people more than the normality of being themselves.. And this gesture was experienced with disarming normality.".
What is missing to achieve this normality?
“I don't think that many things are necessary. It would be enough to remember that ours is a secular system based on the constitutional charter and that civil marriage must be a right for everyone. The Church addresses believers. The State must speak to everyone. Italy should look around and realize that being part of Europe means more than just being inside. Instead, I see an ever-growing Europe of rights, while Italy is increasingly smaller.
Do you and Pastor Esposito know each other?
“"No".
What would you like to tell him?
“"That certain gestures confirm that there is an alternative to believing in God and not dividing men. I believe that it is It is unacceptable that religions divide, whatever separation we're talking about. The gesture of the pastor of Marsala is proof of this: what he did was bless a union. When religion unites, it serves justice, beauty, and, for those who believe in it, even God.
