«"Enough with the gay lobby." Storm in the Democratic Party

The MP: "Disrespectful words." But he: "Traditional family mistreated."«
VICENZA – "When will the Democratic Party stop supporting proposals defending homosexual lobbyists who claim rights to support them?" A few dry sentences and clicks: the email reaches prominent figures in the Democratic Party of Vicenza, other members, and journalists. It wasn't sent by a political opponent, but by a Democratic Party leader: Luciano Parolin, 69 next December, a member of the Vicenza branch's board of directors and a retired teacher from the Margherita party. A supporter of the traditional family ("which is now being mistreated," he emphasizes), after learning of his party's parliamentarian Paola Concia's marriage to a woman, Parolin made his thoughts public. Here they are: "Now that Concia has fulfilled her dream of love, let's hope she stops introducing ad personam bills (on behalf of the Democratic Party) in defense of I don't know what denied rights. Serious question: is this the family that (everyone) wants to form? Are these the families we should support?" A mid-August bombshell that hasn't failed to leave its mark. The parliamentarian implicated is calling on Parolin to apologize. "These were harsh statements, disrespectful to the party and even to certain values," says Paola Concia. "Fortunately, there's been an outcry in Vicenza." Indeed, the leader's letter has sparked a variety of reactions. "Some have even threatened me," says Parolin, "but there are also those who agree with me. I'm not homophobic; homosexuals have the same rights as everyone else, but they remain a minority. This isn't the priority; the party must address issues related to employment and education." Democratic Party city secretary Enrico Peroni says there are currently no measures in place. "In the Democratic Party," he explains, "we're liberal; if anything, the disadvantage is that we're too liberal. The lobby in Vicenza is made up of me and six other friends, who, with €350, founded the gay self-help organization Aletheya." Peroni outlines the party's stance: "The fight against homophobia and the affirmation of de facto couples are battles of the Democratic Party, and in Vicenza, too, we've moved in this direction." However, there's currently no recognition of registered family. "It must be a necessity," the city secretary specifies, "and included in the electoral platform for the 2013 local elections." Meanwhile, Peroni is considering inviting Paola Concia to the city. And she counters: "But what's this Mr. Parolin doing in the Democratic Party? If the party's principles (equality, the fight against discrimination) don't align with his own, he'll do himself in." Parolin, however, doesn't back down: "The Democratic Party isn't a gay party. It shouldn't be one-sided," he retorts. "The Vicenza board hasn't discussed anything important for a year and a half. I'll go hear Concia, if the pro-and-con debate is guaranteed." Finally, criticism also comes from Alessandro Zan, a councilor from Padua and a member of the national council of Arcigay: "Let's stop the nonsense. If there really were a lobby, gays would have every right. Extending freedoms to minorities doesn't take anything away from the majority, but rather increases social cohesion and economic and employment well-being." by Elfrida Ragazzo