Bologna, June 9, 2012
Dear friends,
We couldn't miss bringing the warmest greetings of Arcigay (Italian National Lesbian and Gay Association) to the 5th Congress of the National Youth Forum.
We are sincerely saddened to miss such an important event, the culmination of a journey that for nearly seven years has seen our Association work alongside the largest Italian network focusing on young people and youth-focused policies.
We all feel a sense of disorientation all around us: anger at the daily inequities in access to rights and resources, grief at the loss of jobs or hope, fear for what the future holds, distrust of those who intend to work to make this country a place where modernity and legality are more than just words.
This sentiment has recently grown stronger among those currently experiencing the tragedy of the earthquake in Emilia. And for this reason, TODAY we have chosen to offer a tangible sign of solidarity and help to these friends, bringing resources, support, and our colors to the streets of Bologna.
At the same time, today we have the duty to celebrate the courage of those who, forty-two years ago, in June 1969 in a small bar called “Stonewall” in Greenwich Village, New York, said NO to the violence that oppressed and daily offended the personal dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex citizens.
This is the main meaning of what many know as PRIDE: to remember that courage and restore a little hope to those who today are still prisoners of their own or others' phobias, invisible lives that too often are told only when violence or homophobic or transphobic discrimination has already taken over.
This is a new way for us to celebrate Pride; we want to make it a tangible example of inclusion, support, and solidarity not only for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, or intersex, but for all citizens of Emilia.
We believe that solidarity is the answer to the confusion we are experiencing, and we believe that building a more welcoming and inclusive country requires understanding, sharing, acceptance, and ultimately, the recognition of mutual differences.
This is the spirit we hope to have brought to the National Youth Forum, helping to make it an inclusive platform that has repeatedly said no to all forms of discrimination and violence (including homophobic and transphobic violence), seeking to apply this principle to all areas in which we can work together: school, work, healthcare, and equal opportunities.
At the same time, we are certain that what we have sown over the years can also be embraced by those who today stand as representatives not only of the Forum's values, but also of what the Forum Associations will express and decide through discussions at the Assembly (moments which, of course, we will not miss).
Confident that the work will take place in a climate of calm debate and collaboration, we wish you all the best on this day, and with the anger and hope of the slogans and songs we will sing in the streets today, we renew our full commitment.
a greeting!
Giacomo Guccinelli – Coordinator of the Arcigay Youth Network
Fabio Saccà –
