A shared path against discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people.
LGBTQIA+: Mapping Discrimination for More Effective Combating It. The "Le Voci Fuori" Project Launches“
of Empolese Valdelsa.
To map discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people in the area, to develop more effective initiatives aimed at spreading a culture of respect for people and their rights. This is the goal of the Empolese Valdelsa Municipalities project., “The Voices Outside”, which begins these days and will continue throughout the year. The project, led by the Municipality of Empoli, was presented this morning at Palazzo Strozzi Sacrati by the councilor responsible for LGBTQIA+ rights and the implementation of Regional Law 63/2004,Alessandra Nardini, the councilor for civil rights and equal opportunities of the Municipality of Empoli Valentina Torrini, the president of the IV Commission of the Union of Municipalities of Empolese Valdelsa and Councillor with responsibility for equal opportunities Irene Bandini. The meeting in the Pegaso Hall was attended by Daniele Bonaiuti, president of Arcigay Firenze Altre Sponde, the association that will manage the project's implementation, and representatives of the partner entities, Sociolab Cooperative Society and Scomodo Empoli.
The project, unique in the Florence metropolitan area, will be implemented thanks to the resources made available by the Region in favour of the Tuscan local authorities adhering to theRE.A.DY Network, the Italian network of public administrations committed to preventing, combating, and overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A contribution through their own funds is also coming from the municipalities of the Empolese Valdelsa area that had not completed their membership in the Network in due time. "To deconstruct prejudices and stereotypes, it is necessary to understand how discrimination manifests and operates. Therefore, building a map is not a mere theoretical exercise, but rather a concrete tool that will help implement more effective interventions in the area of sexual orientation and gender identity education."
"Respect for all differences," commented Councilor Nardini, who thanked all the municipalities involved and underlined the value of the project developed. "The Empolese Valdelsa area represents a virtuous example of how territories can work together to translate the values of equality and justice into concrete actions."
Respect. Because building a widespread culture of respect for rights is a commitment that belongs to the entire community, from institutions to schools, from associations to individual citizens." "Every person," he concluded, "has the right to be who they are and to love who they want. In Tuscany, we don't want there to be class A and class B people, loves, and families. It's a duty enshrined in the Constitution.".
“The Municipality of Empoli, as the lead partner, is proud to promote a project aimed at all citizens and supported by local governments. This initiative aims to finally pass the mic and give space to people who, too often, are ignored or silenced. We invite everyone to come forward and participate, to share their stories and experiences. This is a crucial step for all of us: to better understand, to build appropriate tools, and to foster a more aware and inclusive community. We want to help spread a simple yet essential message: there is no distance in differences, but humanity, relationships, and love. And those families, those stories, are, in every respect, part of our community.”
“I express great satisfaction and profound joy at the completion of the "Le Voci Fuori" project, supported by funding from the RE.A.DY Network and the joint efforts of the 11 municipalities of the Empolese Valdelsa area. A particularly valuable aspect is the strong synergy between the participating administrations, who have worked together to share a vision and responsibility on such an important issue. The Union of Municipalities of the Empolese Valdelsa has also sponsored our initiative, representing the local expression of this unity and cooperation among the 11 municipalities. For the first time, the entire area is moving forward as a united community, committed to these issues, with the aim of deconstructing the prejudices and stereotypes that are still too widespread towards LGBTQIA+ people. "Le Voci Fuori" thus represents a concrete step towards building a more inclusive, aware community capable of recognizing and valuing every identity.“
“In the Empolese-Valdelsa area—eleven municipalities with their own histories, communities, and identities—LGBTQIA+ people are present, live, and work here. With the "Le Voci Fuori" project, these municipalities are making a clear choice: to give voice and visibility to those who are already part of those areas, to recognize their presence, and to protect their rights. This isn't a one-off initiative, but a broader project that includes extensive mapping of the area, an awareness campaign, widespread events, and training to combat discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people. It's one of the most ambitious projects on these issues in Tuscany, and Arcigay Florence is proud to coordinate it with highly experienced and deeply rooted partners.“
“Sociolab – Società Cooperativa Impresa Sociale is participating in "Le Voci Fuori – Indagine sulle discrimination sulle LGBTQIA+" (The Voices Outside – Survey on LGBTQIA+ Discrimination) as an operational partner, providing its social research and data analysis expertise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the experiences, issues, and needs emerging in the local context regarding LGBTQIA+ discrimination. Joining the project stems from a choice that goes beyond its technical mandate: Sociolab embraces the fight against all forms of discrimination as a core commitment, an integral part of its worldview and mission. Participating in a survey that highlights the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in the Empolese-Valdelsa area represents, in this sense, a concrete way to give substance to this commitment, helping to build a solid and shared information base, from which to develop more effective actions that meet the needs of the local community.“
Mapping discrimination will be done through a voluntary questionnaire, also utilizing the network of associations in individual municipalities and social media channels. It will be accompanied by a nationwide communications campaign and a series of awareness-raising events. This will be followed by
the analysis of the results obtained and the construction of training and awareness-raising paths to propose to public administrations, the world of schools, and that of associations.
At Scomodo Empoli, we believe it's important to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, especially when they are constantly being challenged, both in Italy and around the world. Last year, with the series of meetings and events titled "Queering the Province," we began an awareness-raising campaign in the Empoli province, creating spaces for social interaction and discussion where people could recognize each other and explore their queerness safely. This year, with this project, in collaboration with the municipalities of the Empolese-Valdelsa district, Arcigay Florence, and Sociolab, the goal is to combat homolesbobitransphobia, starting with those who experience this threat around them and upon themselves. First by mapping the violence suffered by LGBTQIA+ people in the Empolese-Valdelsa area, then with a series of events to mark May 17, the International Day Against HomolesbobinTransphobia, we want to put queer people back at the center, reclaiming, with them, safe spaces and respect for every identity.
To stay updated and learn more https://www.arcigayfirenze.it/le-voci-fuori/
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