They learned, shocked, from the media about yet another act of homophobic bullying that occurred in our region, in Vicenza, not far from home. A 16-year-old boy was subjected to very harsh pranks by five of his classmates because he was perceived as homosexual. The Carabinieri had to intervene.
Unfortunately, incidents like the one in Vicenza happen daily in many Italian schools, as the news shows.
As the Arcigay club in Verona, we have been carrying out homophobic bullying prevention activities for years, but with great difficulty, as schools struggle to open their doors to us.
The managers believe that the topic does not concern their institution, or they fear causing a stir by agreeing to have Arcigay volunteers speak in front of their students.
The reality of the situation shows us how urgent and necessary it is to make the prevention of homophobic bullying an integral part of student education.
Everyone involved in the education and growth of students must act to ensure that incidents like this one in Vicenza, or the even more dramatic one that recently occurred in Rome, never happen again.
At this point, we hope that a serious law against homophobia, which can no longer be postponed, will be approved as soon as possible, without any ifs or buts, by the Italian parliament, as it does in the rest of Europe.
Giovanna Bassan
President
Arcigay Planet Uranus Verona
