PRESS RELEASE
SALERNO - 2026 ADMINISTRATIVE ELECTIONS. ARCIGAY SALERNO: "RIGHTS ARE NOT SLOGANS: WE NEED PRESENCE, LISTENING, AND RESPONSIBILITY."“
Following Arcigay Salerno's recent public statement regarding the homophobic and transphobic propaganda incidents at the University of Salerno, the Committee believes it is even more necessary to bring the issues of rights, inclusion, and the fight against all forms of discrimination back to the center of public and political debate. It is in this context that Arcigay Salerno “Marcella Di Folco” intervenes on the next administrative elections of Municipality of Salerno, clearly reiterating its position and role. The Committee does not express or support direct candidacies and there are no candidates attributable to an internal association path. “Arcigay is a political but nonpartisan association: we do not nominate candidates or support political parties, respecting the diverse sensitivities and political affiliations of our members. Our commitment is to rights, not affiliations. Any attempt to simplify or exploit this does not reflect our reality.”, declares the President Emanuele Avagliano. Arcigay Salerno reiterates that the LGBTQIA+ community demands cannot be considered marginal in the city's political debate.“We don't give voting instructions. But we demand that rights, health, self-determination, and the fight against discrimination be treated as priorities and not as optional or superficial elements.”.
Over the past few weeks, the President Emanuele Avagliano, in his role as political representative of the Committee, he met the mayoral candidates of the progressive area, Vincenzo De Luca And Franco Massimo Lanocita, to whom he submitted a document on the issues of combating discrimination, including through inclusive municipal regulations, the rights of same-sex families, gender affirmation programs, and prevention activities for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Both candidates expressed full availability to comparison and to the collaboration on the issues raised by the association, recognizing the importance of the work carried out by Arcigay Salerno in the area and expressing its willingness to concretely address the issues raised by the association.
In this context, and in full respect of its autonomy and non-partisan nature, Arcigay Salerno believes it is important to highlight someone experiences of comparison and dialogue developed over the years with nominations to the City Council that they showed attention, listening and availability on issues of rights, of inclusion and the fight against discrimination. The association does not intend to express electoral recommendations, but rather to promote discussions and developments on the issues of rights and inclusion.
For the coalition in support of Vincenzo De Luca, Arcigay Salerno recalls the path built over time with Fabio Polverino And Paola De Roberto Of Salerno for Young People, Chicca Ingenito And Paky Memoli Of With Head Held High, Peter Cardella And Michela Parisi Of Forward PSI. For the coalition in support of Franco Massimo Lanocita, the association recalls the path built over time with Federica Di Martino of the Five Star Movement, Gabriella Ferrara, Eugenio Gammaldi And Gianluca De Martino Of Green and Left Alliance. “This isn't a party endorsement. It's an act of political responsibility: We give visibility to those who have chosen to be truly there, over time, and not just in the electoral phases. What matters to us are facts, the paths built over time, and a concrete presence in the communities. We carefully evaluate consistency, listening, and genuine willingness to engage in dialogue about rights.”, continues Emanuele Avagliano. “Rights aren't evoked: they're practiced. And on this issue, we will continue to carefully evaluate our positions, choices, and responsibilities. Credibility on these issues is measured by our ongoing commitment, our concrete presence in the local communities, and our ability to build authentic relationships with communities.”, adds the president.
Arcigay Salerno also confirms that discussions are already underway with progressive candidates in the other 21 municipalities of the province that are voting.
“It is from this daily work and concrete presence in the communities that Arcigay Salerno's positions and public debate on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community are born. Rights are not slogans to shout, symbols to be used at will, or tools to build personal visibility. For us, they mean taking responsibility, being present in the communities, offering services, listening to those experiencing marginalization, and providing concrete answers to those who ask for help. Volunteering and associations are not built on controversy, competition, or self-referential narratives, but on the daily, often silent, work carried out alongside people. This is the meaning of our commitment, and this is the spirit we will bring to the next Salerno Pride on July 4th: a grassroots Pride, built with the communities, associations, and people who live and travel through these communities every day.”, concludes Emanuele Avagliano.
Salerno, May 12, 2026
Press Office
Arcigay Salerno
