On Sunday, December 1st, Croatia, a country that recently joined the European Union, will vote to ban gay and lesbian rights. Religious and right-wing movements are promoting an anachronistic referendum to demand that this discriminatory element be included in the Constitution, preventing the future recognition of same-sex marriage. Croatia, already on a path to gay emancipation, will have to decide whether to take inspiration from the Europe of Cameron and Hollande or be tempted by the winds of discrimination blowing from Putin's Russia.
Arcigay Friuli Udine and Pordenone, Arcigay Arcilesbica Trieste and Gorizia, and the IRIS University Association of Udine express their solidarity with the homosexual brothers and sisters of neighboring Croatia and hope that "the NO to this crazy referendum will remove all doubt about Croatia's choice of civilization as a European and modern nation."“
Arcigay Arcilesbica Trieste, which just Tuesday protested the Russian Federation's homophobic laws during Prime Minister Putin's visit to the region, is raising the alarm about a possible "contagion effect" involving all of Eastern Europe: "Russia promotes homophobic laws," explains Andrea Tamaro, president of Arcigay Arcilesbica Trieste and Gorizia. "Serbia bans Gay Pride for security reasons, and Hungary has inserted homophobic elements into its Constitution. Croatia should not be tempted by the 'allure' of discrimination."“
And among the promoters of this referendum, which the gay movement has called "uncivilized," Catholic movements stand out: "Croatia cannot begin its journey in Europe by going backwards," declares Giacomo Deperu, president of Arcigay Friuli, with concern. "And the Church cannot support such racist and uncivilized positions: has Pope Francis perhaps exhausted his supply of 'merciful love'?"“
For the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) movement in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Croatia does not deserve the affront of a referendum that even proposes a mark of incivility in the Constitution, which would be a poor calling card for a country that recently joined the European Union: "We are certain that the Croatian people," adds Alessandro Baldo, president of the IRIS University Association of Udine, which is committed to the fight for civil rights, "will want to look to the civil achievements of Spain, Portugal, France, and England, affirming their own civilized path towards an inclusive and modern society."”