Bologna, May 2, 2021 – “The hostility and aversion from political and institutional figures that Fedez's courageous speech from the stage of the May 1st Concerto sparked—before, during, and after—has given substance and representation to the many forms of oppression that millions of LGBTI people suffer every day, everywhere. For this, first and foremost, I want to thank Fedez,” said Gabriele Piazzoni, general secretary of Arcigay. He continues: "Because that's exactly how it works: while they tell you you're 'inappropriate', out of line with the 'system', from institutional halls comes the violence of elected representatives who would like us to be thrown into the oven, out of our homes and schools, or even re-educated. And they don't whisper those words in our ear, they reiterate them on every page of the newspaper, news or entertainment program, even on the latest reality show. But this, for those who direct and oversee public service, is not 'inappropriate': because filth attracts audiences, manure attracts flies. And it's so true that last weekend Mediaset scheduled an evening using the advertising slogan "We'll say neg*ie fro*i" as a driving force. Disgust, indeed, attracts audiences. Fedez's speech tore a veil: we would like to know what is inappropriate for the Italian public broadcasting service. Us or the Northern League councilor who wants us thrown into the oven? Us or the entire political class that mocks us, offends us, and to whom Do you throw open the doors of your living rooms? How many spokespeople for LGBTI associations, those delegated by significant segments of the community to speak for them, can you hear on Rai news programs? Conversely, how many absurdities—in terms of language and worldview—have Rai programs chosen to serve as a megaphone and a stage for? I also want to thank Fedez for this torn veil. And finally, I want to thank him for reminding us, with his speech from the stage on May 1st, that LGBTI people are people who either have a job, or don't. Or have a precarious, intermittent, undeclared job. Rights are never mutually exclusive: every battle for rights supports all the others. We have entered the May of the fight against homotransphobia, which will culminate on the international day on the 17th. These will be days of struggle and of reclaiming the streets across the country: this debate too has shown us how necessary they are,“ concludes Piazzoni.
