On the evening of Sunday, June 3, a gay-friendly aperitif with live music and an outdoor disco took place at the Gran Caffè La Fontana, in the central Piazzale Guglielmo Marconi in Chieti Scalo, in front of the station. The event was organized by a team of young people who work on LGBT events and was attended by over 200 people, not only gay people.
At the end of the evening, shortly after midnight, as they were walking individually or in small groups to their vehicles, many participants were attacked with insults and thrown stones and bottles: at least twenty young men and women were attacked, and five were injured. Phrases such as "You faggot!" and "Aren't you ashamed?" were hurled. Several people immediately called for police assistance, but the attackers fled, only to return once the officers had left.
As witnesses gathered, it became clear that it was an organized attack by around fifty attackers. Some were carrying Chieti Calcio flags, while others were wearing clothing with swastikas and far-right symbols such as the SS.
The gay rights organizations Arcigay Chieti, Jonathan – Diritti in Movimento, Arcigay, and Arcilesbica Pescara, in solidarity with the assaulted boys and girls and at their request, immediately began collecting testimonies from the injured parties and instructed Attorney Andrea Cerrone, a PhD in Fundamental Rights Protection from the University of Teramo, to file a complaint with the competent judicial authority.
The same associations condemn the incident and invite anyone who saw or suffered it to come forward.
This is the second year of the gay-friendly aperitif in the Teatina square, and the first of its kind since the 2012 summer edition. No incidents occurred last summer.
The Jonathan, Arcilesbica, and Arcigay associations of Chieti and Pescara announce that the Abruzzo gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community will not be intimidated by these shameful acts and will return, along with their friends, to enliven the Chieti square.
Sunday aperitifs are a chance to have fun, socialize, and get together, and also give everyone the chance to interact with the gay community in the open. It's an event open to all, and beyond music, it spreads tolerance and respect.
We are confident that the relevant authorities will be able to meet our security needs.
Jonathan – Rights in Motion
Arcigay Chieti
Arcilesbica Pescara