On Sunday, July 19, the National Council of Arcigay unanimously approved the affiliation of the Stonewall Frosinone and Rieti LGBT+ associations. For the first time, two Arcigay member associations will be present in the two provincial capitals of Lazio.
“"This is an important initiative that extends Arcigay's work to Lazio, where it already operates in Rome, Latina, and the Castelli Romani," says Francesco Angeli, president of Arcigay Rome and head of Arcigay's Territories. "For years, Arcigay has been working in the provinces of Rieti and Frosinone, starting with discrimination interventions and the management of cases of homotransphobia.
The Lazio Pride initiative has also inspired local activists to further engage in the two cities. In Frosinone, the initiative began shortly before Lazio Pride 2019, while Rieti was supposed to host the pride event, which was later postponed due to COVID, in June 2020. The two associations will be a crucial support network in the province, where assistance and protection for victims of discrimination are most needed.
Rieti LGBT+. “"In the province of Rieti, there's a clear need for an association that represents the interests of the LGBT+ community," says Domenico Di Cesare, President of Rieti LGBT+. "There are many challenges in our area, because LGBT+ adults are often invisible, while younger people leave the city as soon as they can (at university or for other reasons).
We want to be there as an association to fight the ignorance of those who would exclude us, and therefore we want to show that the LGBT+ community in Rieti exists. We are also ready and willing to welcome anyone who may feel excluded or marginalized in their life: they will find a cohesive group willing to stand up for them and support them.
We at “Rieti LGBT+ Associazione Arcigay” – continues DI Cesare – look forward to a constructive discussion and to embarking on a path of shared growth, for the social inclusion of every person and against all discrimination: the Association is non-partisan, non-denominational, anti-totalitarian, anti-sexist and anti-racist.”
Stonewall Frosinone. “"The birth of Stonewall is a significant achievement for the entire province of Frosinone, building on significant work that officially began with Lazio Pride 2019, which invaded our capital city and saw eight thousand people accompany the LGBTI community in a march demanding freedom, visibility, and rights. Our association wants to continue that journey and continue the work that has been carried out in recent years in schools and throughout society," commented Eleonora Ferri, President of the Association. "We have decided to join the Arcigay family, sharing its objectives and founding values. We understand, and consequently assume, the responsibility of establishing a community defense organization and an association capable of fighting for the rights and recognition of LGBTI people and all those oppressed by hatred and discrimination."
