Salerno. Gay and transgender event funded by the city. The PDL (People of Freedom) party calls for a complete ban.

BATTIPAGLIA: "Liberi Tutti 2011" (Free for All 2011), Battipaglia's first gay, lesbian, and transgender literature festival, is underway. The initiative, conceived by journalist Pasquale Quaranta and promoted by the City Council's Equal Opportunities Commission with the support of the Youth Forum, aims to offer "cultural tools to overcome prejudices based on sexual orientation and gender identity." This "is for a city increasingly welcoming and respectful of gay, lesbian, and transgender people." It begins tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. with Francesco Gnerre, literary critic and university professor, who will present "The Denied Hero. Homosexuality and Literature in Twentieth-Century Italy" (Baldini & Castoldi). Also speaking at the presentation will be Giuseppina La Delfa, president of Famiglie Arcobaleno (an association of gay parents), and Antonello Sannino, president of Arcigay Salerno. Greetings from Battipaglia's mayor, Giovanni Santomauro, are expected. "Our goal," said Marika Calenda, president of the Equal Opportunities Commission of the Municipality of Battipaglia, "is to facilitate the participation of all residents in political, economic, cultural, and social life, within a framework of freedom, justice, and solidarity. We are proud to promote Liberi Tutti 2011 to raise awareness, especially among young people, about the fight against homophobia." But the announcement of the event sparked controversy. And a revolt from the center-right, led by PDL Senator Franco Cardiello. "This event is an affront to the city of Battipaglia," said the center-right MP, who has always demonstrated his commitment to the values of Catholicism. "It's not a question of homophobia or racism, quite the opposite. We have nothing against homosexuals, but we don't believe public funds should be used for this type of initiative. Mayor Santomauro has truly outdone himself this time. It's incredible." We center-right Catholics will oppose it with all our means, because this is an affront to the entire province of Salerno. We will call on everyone to mobilize, even ready to democratically block this demonstration." But Cardiello also intends to go all the way on the financial side. "We will request an accounting of the expenses of the event and how much the Municipality has allocated," insists the PDL senator, "and we will monitor the progress of the demonstration. We also know that school principals will be participating and will accompany students to these events. I will speak with Minister Gelmini to verify which principals authorized the students' participation in this demonstration. I will take every possible action within the institutional sphere to clarify what is happening in Battipaglia." Federico Natella