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At a recent demonstration in Rome in support of the law, two teenage girls, who were holding hands, were spat at and insulted by a man attending a nearby counter-protest organised by the League and its political partner, Brothers of Italy.įabrizio Marrazzo, a spokesperson for Gay Centre, a Rome-based association, said it received about 20,000 reports of discrimination against LGBT people a year, of which about 9% are severe. Less than two weeks later, a gay couple were assaulted by a group of six after they kissed each other at a train station in Cinque Terre, Liguria. In late June, a 25-year-old man was brutally attacked by a gang of seven people as he walked hand-in-hand with his boyfriend in the city of Pescara. In addition, it would criminalise misogyny.Īfter a spate of recent attacks against gay people, proponents argue that the legislation is urgently needed. If approved, the new law would be an extension of an existing law that punishes racist violence, hatred and discrimination. Photograph: Riccardo Antimiani/EPAĪttempts by various governments over the past three decades to enshrine gay rights in law have either been stifled or sabotaged. People mark the global Pride celebrations in Rome’s San Lorenzo neighbourhood in June.
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LGBT rights associations have linked a rise in hate crimes in 2019 to the prominence of Matteo Salvini’s far-right League, which continues to poll as Italy’s most popular party. Attempts at progress or even just meaningful debate have been stymied by a macho culture, Catholicism and support for far-right parties. An EU-wide survey published last autumn showed that 55% of Italians accepted LGBT people – far below the EU average. This isn’t anything new, it happens to gay people all the time, but many do not report it through fear.”Īlthough Italy approved same-sex civil unions in 2016, the country lags behind its EU partners in creating anti-homophobia measures. “This guy came to us simply because he hates gays. Politicians will begin debating the draft legislation, already being virulently contested by far-right parties and religious groups, in parliament on Monday. The couple are hoping they will soon be protected by a long-awaited law that would punish discrimination and hate crimes towards LGBT people. “Twice the police came, and twice they did nothing.”
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“We’re living in fear,” Marco said, citing the example of a gay friend who was almost killed by his antagonist following repeated harassment. Marco has been recording evidence on his mobile phone, but his pleas to the police for help have so far been ignored. The man, who had recently moved into the same building, has incessantly taunted the couple over the past month, threatening to also torch their car.