Bologna, June 23, 2016 – "An important ruling, a definitive statement on a story that must reopen a political debate": Gabriele Piazzoni, national secretary of Arcigay, comments on the Rovereto court ruling that found the Sacro Cuore private school in Trento guilty of discriminating against a lesbian teacher. Thanks in part to discussions between Arcigay Trentino and the school's director, the intent to discriminate was clearly revealed. "Not only," Piazzoni observes, "does the judge emphasize the defamatory nature of the Institute's defense, to the point of awarding collective damages, but above all, he makes it clear that no religious belief can legitimize discrimination against a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person, even within a community founded on that religion. This is far from trivial, because it is precisely on this boundary that the anti-homotransphobia bill has stumbled, stalled for years in the Senate and bogged down with quibbles and exceptions that paradoxically reiterate discrimination rather than combat it. The courts' ruling once again chastises politicians and underscores the urgency of reopening the debate on the anti-homotransphobia bill, freeing it from burdens that run counter to common sense and would most likely lead to the High Courts being called into question. Politics must regain its role and take to heart the courts' recommendations to pass fair and effective laws, free from balancing acts and expedient reasoning."“
