PRESS RELEASE
Arcigay Salerno: "Homophobic and transphobic flyers distributed at the University of Salerno: no room for hatred and fundamentalist propaganda."“
Arcigay Salerno strongly condemns the events this morning at the University of Salerno terminal, where flyers signed by the "Crociata Cattolica" association were distributed. This traditionalist Catholic organization is already well-known in Campania for its public campaigns against abortion, LGBTQIA+ rights, and personal self-determination.
The flyers define homosexuality as an "impure sin against nature" that "cries out to God for vengeance." These are violent, medieval, and dehumanizing expressions that cannot be dismissed as mere religious opinions. These words carry a specific political and social weight: they fuel hatred, stigma, and discrimination, especially against young LGBTQIA+ people who already experience vulnerability, isolation, and fear. According to recent public reports, the materials distributed allegedly recall formulations taken directly from the most fundamentalist tradition of the pre-conciliar catechism, where homosexuality was associated with the so-called "sins that cry out to heaven for vengeance." This is a language that democratic society and the contemporary Catholic Church itself have progressively abandoned in public debate, but which ultraconservative groups continue to advocate in its most extreme form.
«"We are not witnessing a legitimate cultural or theological debate," says Emanuele Avagliano, president of Arcigay Salerno. "Here we are witnessing the public dissemination of messages that brand entire people as wrong, impure, and unnatural. This language has historically justified marginalization, psychological abuse, and family and social discrimination. And it is extremely serious that all this is happening within a university setting.".
Crociata Cattolica is no stranger to initiatives of this kind. In recent years, the group has carried out propaganda activities in several cities in Campania, including leafleting and holding public demonstrations against civil rights and the LGBTQIA+ community. On previous occasions, according to local press reports, members of the association were removed or detained while distributing materials near universities and public places. "It's shocking how certain organizations systematically choose places frequented by young people to spread messages based on guilt and fear," Avagliano continues. "University should be a space for freedom, growth, and discussion, not a recruiting ground for ideological reasons through the demonization of differences.".
Arcigay Salerno emphasizes that downplaying such incidents ignores the social context in which they occur. In Italy, LGBTQIA+ people continue to suffer discrimination, verbal and physical aggression, family exclusion, and bullying. The dissemination of messages that define homosexuality as "unnatural" directly contributes to this climate.
«"For an LGBTQIA+ person, reading about being described as morally impure or a problem for society isn't an abstract opinion," adds Avagliano. "It means feeling delegitimized in your own existence. It means growing up in fear and shame. And that's why we will never accept certain messages being normalized in public discourse.".
Arcigay Salerno calls on the University of Salerno to take a clear and public stance against all forms of discrimination and to promote concrete initiatives to raise awareness, include, and combat hate speech. It also calls on local institutions and the political and cultural worlds to not remain silent in the face of incidents that directly affect the dignity and safety of LGBTQIA+ people.
«"Religious freedom is a fundamental right and must be protected," concludes Emanuele Avagliano, "but it cannot become a shield behind which to hide discriminatory propaganda. No faith can be used to deny dignity, respect, and rights to people. Salerno is a democratic, open, and pluralistic city: we will not allow it to be transformed into a breeding ground for hate campaigns and fundamentalism.".
Press Office
Arcigay Salerno
