Pride Wave, three marches today in Caltagirone, Lecce, and Syracuse. Piazzoni (Arcigay): "We remember Richard Lee, a precious witness to our history."«
July 18, 2026 – Onda Pride 2026 continues, the major national mobilization in support of LGBTQIA+ rights organized by Arcigay through its many local branches. Today, three events will brighten the squares of Southern Italy: Caltagirone Pride gathers at 6:00 PM in Piazza Risorgimento, Salento Pride departs at 4:00 PM from Porta San Biagio in Lecce, and Siracusa Pride gathers at 6:30 PM in Piazza Euripide.
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“"Today, Salento Pride," says Gabriele Piazzoni, general secretary of Arcigay, "together with the parades in Caltagirone and Syracuse, is tinged with a special color: that of remembrance. Richard Lee, an Australian violinist who for almost half a century made Bari his home and the fight for rights his life, has left us. He was among the founders of Arcigay Bari and in 2016, together with his partner Giovanni Palladino, celebrated one of the first civil unions in Puglia. Not only that: in 2003, he was among the promoters of the first Pride in Puglia, so it is precisely with our pride parades that we want to remember him. Richard was not just an activist, he was a witness. One of those who crossed the desert of the 1970s, when being gay in Italy meant living in hiding, when the first voices of protest were isolated and courageous. He saw the world change and contributed firsthand to changing it. Today, the LGBTQIA+ movement is a raging river, but its pioneers are just beginning to emerge. leave us. And every time one of them passes away, we lose a piece of living memory. We will always be grateful to Richard and all the people who fought on the front lines in those years. Our heartfelt and affectionate embrace goes to Giovanni and their son Momo,” concludes Piazzoni.
“"Today, Salento Pride," says Gabriele Piazzoni, general secretary of Arcigay, "together with the parades in Caltagirone and Syracuse, is tinged with a special color: that of remembrance. Richard Lee, an Australian violinist who for almost half a century made Bari his home and the fight for rights his life, has left us. He was among the founders of Arcigay Bari and in 2016, together with his partner Giovanni Palladino, celebrated one of the first civil unions in Puglia. Not only that: in 2003, he was among the promoters of the first Pride in Puglia, so it is precisely with our pride parades that we want to remember him. Richard was not just an activist, he was a witness. One of those who crossed the desert of the 1970s, when being gay in Italy meant living in hiding, when the first voices of protest were isolated and courageous. He saw the world change and contributed firsthand to changing it. Today, the LGBTQIA+ movement is a raging river, but its pioneers are just beginning to emerge. leave us. And every time one of them passes away, we lose a piece of living memory. We will always be grateful to Richard and all the people who fought on the front lines in those years. Our heartfelt and affectionate embrace goes to Giovanni and their son Momo,” concludes Piazzoni.
