Arcigay considers the statements of Mr. Ripa, Transport Councillor of the city of Lecce, who called the Governor of the Puglia Region, Nichi Vendola, a "miss", very serious, and then further
to relaunch vulgarity and homophobic hatred by specifying that for him homosexuality is a "mental disorder".
No justification is conceivable: those who exercise public functions cannot abuse a role, paid with public money, including that of homosexuals and women, all blatantly insulted by Mr. Ripa, to turn it into a platform for hatred and discrimination.
“Dear Mr. Ripa,” underlines Paolo Patanè, National President of Arcigay, “if you attack Vendola for his homosexuality, you demonstrate that you are totally devoid of intellectual, cultural and political arguments. If
He expresses contempt for women, using the term "miss" in a clearly offensive sense, further demonstrating his discredit for the city of Lecce. He is unworthy of being a councilor.“
Arcigay strongly demands an authoritative gesture from Mayor Perrone: a public apology and the immediate resignation of Mr. Ripa from all his positions. We are certain that Lecce deserves much better representation.
Paolo Patanè, national president of Arcigay
