Ci chiami sporco negro e lesbica schifosa ma ti offendi se ti chiamano italiano mafioso - “You call us dirty nigger and disgusting lesbian. But you’re offended if someone calls you an Italian mafioso.”
Introduction:
I am studying social justice issues of LGBT pupils of Italy. First, I will present the struggles and difficulties that the LGBT community experience and how their wellbeing is being affected. The Official Journal of the European Communities voices that everyone is equal before the law, Article 21 states:
Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
However, one must question whether the reinforcement and regulation of this law only then will it ensure the equality of minority communities present in Italy. Second, I will discuss the role of the Italian church and the legal recognition of same-sex couples. Current social, political and institutional powers; Church and law, shape one’s outlook and provides perspective on the emotional struggles confronting migrant LGBT individuals in Italy today. Leading one to pose the questions: Why are hate crimes at a rise? What are the potential factors that could cause such effects? Why do pupils carry out hate crime attacks? Are schools a safety zone for LGBT youth to be? The research article, “La montagna e la catena – essere migrant omosessuali oggi in italia, by Arcigay interviewed recent homosexual migrants to Italy; the narratives help one understand what it is like to be gay and an migrant today in Italy. A young man from Ecuador shared his coming out story, his migration to Italy, and the struggles encountered throughout his journey by saying:My coming out? A mountain. When I told my parents that I was gay [it] was like climbing [a mountain] with great difficulty, but in the process I learned to grow to be strong, to trust in myself. Then [I] came to a culmination point, such as the confrontation with my father, who followed the descent, during which begins to be accepted. It was not a single mountain but a mountain range, and each time I had to climb more, higher up on different mountains -One day my parents were, one day my sisters and another family of my parents ...yet another migration, and Italy. It is one thing to talk to parents but around them is not said that they accept it. They have both a family of friends. To this must be add to my family in Ecuador is a family of elite cultural [...]. This meant that my family are very concerned about what others will say [...]
This quote highlights the emotional, migration difficulty, and identity struggles of a young man. In this paper, I will argue that the role of the Italian church and the lack of legal recognition of same-sex couples today in Italy create negative messages and are partly responsible for the rise of hate-crime attacks. Moreover, I will discuss how a gay migrant in Italy today is impacted by social and institutional powers.
Literature Review, Findings and Discussions:
Struggles , difficulties and wellbeing of LGBT community
The sources that I used to support my argument all bring unique perspectives to issues of homosexual and migrants to Italy. Each article provides the reader with perspective into current issues present today in Italy. In February of 2011, a British magazine “The Observer” published a piece discussing struggles and “anger” of homosexuals; and it is having a profound impact. Tim Franks, the CEO of PACE; a London’s leading charity promoting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community began his work with a systematic review of the National Institute for Mental Health. Leading him to state:
“lesbian and gay people [are] up to two-and-a-half times more likely to become alcohol or drug dependent, over two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression disorders. Gay men particularly were up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.”
The report further identified potential reasons for such statistics in saying:“It is likely that the social hostility, stigma and discriminations most LGBT people experience [are] at least likely to be a part of the reasons for the higher rates of psychological morbidity observed.”
This quote exemplifies the struggles and difficulties that the LGBT community experience and provides a possible target for its effects. Questions to consider are: 1) how can the LGBT community be experiencing social hostility, stigma and discrimination? Italian church? Government? 2) are these forms of oppression?
the role of the Italian church and the legal recognition of same-sex couples
“Some gay men [and women] grow up in cultures where they will be told in no uncertain terms that God hates them.” During childhood, Alan Downs, a psychologist; was led to believe that “he was going straight to hell for being gay.” That’s a very significant message to grow up with. Churches are particularly culpable, believes Tim Franks. In January 14, 2006 BBC NEWS published the article: Italians clash on gay ‘marriage’; where a senior judge celebrated “weddings” for 10 same-sex couples, in a ceremony of symbolic rather than legal value. This act provides us with a clear view of the rights protecting the wellbeing of the LBGT community. Furthermore, one can link such act as a reluctance and refusal to grant legal recognition and acknowledge pupils as equal citizens.
In protest, thousands of gay rights activists have demonstrated in Rome in support of same-sex unions; where banners read: “Let’s free love from religious phobia.” But, Reforms Minister Roberto Calderoli – a right-wing government said: “these demonstrators are really nauseating.” The people governing and leading this state into the 21st century aren’t voicing the need for laws to provide protection to this community. Rather, it demonstrates a feeling of resentment, disgust, and willingness to do nothing. Equally, if not more impactful, is how Pope Benedict XVI dismissed gay marriage, by saying “a serious mistake to obfuscate the value and function of the legitimate family based on marriage by attributing legal recognition to other forms of legal union for which there is no real social demand.” Both institutional powers present in Italy react to LGBT pupils as if they were second class citizens; disregarding their presence and needs. Could both; the church and government; which are powerful influential establishments be responsible for the presence and escalation of hate crimes?
Hate crimes on the rise what could cause such effect?
In October 9, 2009, a news article by guardian.co.uk outlined Italy’s intolerance of LGBT community, in Italy’s gay rights pledge as hate crimes rise. According to figures from the association Arcigay, there were eight gay-hate killings and 52 non-lethal attacks in Italy in the first nine months in 2009, compared with nine killings and 45 other attacks in 2008. What possible factors could have caused the increase of attacks? Aurelio Mancuso, Arcigay president, speculated that it could have been caused by factors like the election of a new pope. Why do you think that is?
A possible reason, shares Mancuso, is that: “those who seek to carry out these attacks feel legitimised by the attitude of the present government, which is not giving clear signs of respect.” Clearly, the government isn’t taking appropriate actions to prevent such attacks. Can part of the responsibility for such attacks be shared by the Church? Mancuso says: “Benedict is fighting a cultural battle against the rights of women and homosexuals.” The outlook of governing with the majority is looked at as ambivalent. Especially, when minority groups like women, immigrant, and gays are at most risk of being discriminated as they present “no real social demand,” as Pope Benedict XVI shares with us.
Such ideologies present us with incidences where men feel the right take part on such attacks. In Florence, a barman was savagely attacked after leaving a gay pub. The 26-year-old had concealed his sexual orientation from his family. In an effort to cover up what had happened, he resisted going to the hospital for almost 24 hours, despite having a broken jaw, nose and cheekbone. The report also mentions that “a gay disco was set alight and two men were attacked after being seen kissing near the venue of Rome’s summer festival for gays and lesbians.” There is no safety and no rights for such minorities; even in designated safety zone for LGBT pupils. Hence, I pose the question: If the government nor the church take efforts to protect and voice out the needs of minority populations, then who takes on the responsibility to help educate tolerance; schools?
Are schools a safe zone for LGBT youth?
Unfortunately, just as government and church, school are no exception. As Tim Franks states educational establishments don’t acquit themselves too well, either. Frank adds; “homophobic bullying in schools in this country is still [an] epidemic. It’s absolutely rife. Most British schools are not safe places to be gay.” If schools don’t take necessary actions to education tolerance for differences; and no safety is present for LGBT youth. Where is Italy heading in the 21st century? Arcigay states that today there are still too many kids who are teased and harassed at school because of the fear of “being discovered” as homosexuals; they cannot freely express what they feel and what they think. What kind of education are children receiving when they constantly are in fear at their schools – which are supposed to be safe environments? Further, what kind of message are children receiving when they feel that they can’t voice out what they think.
I have presented that the struggles of LGBT community and how institutional forces silence their voices. Now, I will present how being a homosexual migrant today in Italy means that you have different rights and confront forms of oppression. Now, I will focus on presenting the points of view of gay migrant to Italy today. Arcigay, Italy’s national gay rights organization, issued a new report, “La Montagna e La Catena - Essere Migranti Omosessuali Oggi In Italia” (The Mountain and the Chain: Being Gay Immigrants in Today’s Italy). The 41-page report draws its conclusions mainly from interview conducted with gay and lesbian immigrant in Italy.
· Struggles with coming out
The difficulty of coming out to one family is always a struggle within. Many ask themselves: what if they don’t love me anymore? Coming out presents a greater obstacle for youth, for they have the most to lose. If the family turns their back on their child and kicks them out, they must now fend for themselves. If you can’t trust your own family, then who can you rely on? A young man from Ecuador shared his coming out story and his struggles with migrating to Italy saying:
My coming out? A mountain. When I told my parents that I was gay [it] was like climbing [a mountain] with great difficulty, but in the process I learned to grow to be strong, to trust in myself. Then [I] came to a culmination point, such as the confrontation with my father, who followed the descent, during which begins to be accepted. It was not a single mountain but a mountain range, and each time I had to climb more, higher up on different mountains -One day my parents were, one day my sisters and another family of my parents ...yet another migration, and Italy. It is one thing to talk to parents but around them is not said that they accept it. They have both a family of friends. To this must be add to my family in Ecuador is a family of elite cultural [...]. This meant that my family are very concerned about what others will say [...]
This quote exemplifies the struggle with coming out; and in the process discovering one’s identity. Further, it shows the emotional struggles within a family to be accepted. Being brought up with the mind-set that “God hates gays” is a very power and significant message to grow up with. How does this message from the past; kept alive in the present impact our future? A lesbian woman from Ukraine said:My family of origin does not know that I'm lesbian, I think I'll tell him but I decided yet. The fact is that I live far away and they are already worried about this, and it important for me to let him know that I'm fine here and I feel better that if I lived in my town. (JUN, Ukraine)
This quote demonstrates the separation of family. The distance that is created; first, by the fear of being rejected, harmed, being alone, and second, being separated by land. Making this distance between families members grow.This quote exemplifies the role of the Church and its effects on its followers. · Gay migrant in Italy
The report, Ci chiami sporco negro e lesbica schifosa ma ti offendi se ti chiamano italiano mafioso, captures the feelings of repondents well; in saying:
[although there was]a “double stigma” attached to being both foreign and gay in Italy, the former condition presented more problems because racial and ethnic difference is more difficult to hide than sexual identity.
For these immigrants, it’s easier to be gay in Italy than in their countries of origin. An Iranian man told the Arcigay researchers, “I come from a country where I cannot exist…here at least I’m not afraid to live.” But a Peruvian, when asked which people had more difficulty accepting homosexuality, Italians or his co-nationals, replied, “The Italians,” because of “the Pope” and their purported greater adherence to Church teachings. “We Peruvians are Catholic, too,” he said. “But we understand. We understand.” Such narratives exemplify the struggles that immigrants are now facing in Italy. The separation of families, struggles with identity, the role of the Church. How are all of these factors and the government acting on the rights of gay immigrant to Italy? I fear, that this minority is even more oppressed; as they are a minority of a minority.
Methods:
To find information about my study; I relied mostly on the internet searches. Through the internet I was able to find most of the news articles that discussed the position of the government and the Church on gay rights. Through internet searches I began to understand that homosexual youth are not safe in schools. Also, by conducting interviews, an interviewee shared with me a magazine that discussed the struggles that the LBGT community faces today. Due to time constraints and because the sensitivity of my research project I was unable to interview people that were both gay and immigrants to Italy today. Nevertheless, I contacted my service learning mentor who shared with me a report on homosexual migrants in Italy today. The report interviews recent gay immigrants in Italy today; which provided me with the necessary perspective to understand where they are coming from. I also followed some leads about a gay bar in Trastevere and a bookstore; however after researching I discovered that they went out of business.
Conclusions:
Italian Activists Confront Racism and Homophobia state: “Bigots, whether as individuals or as political actors, tend to hate immigrants and queers.”Sexual minorities are seen as an internal menace, a moral infection that undermines “traditional” values and social structures. The role of the Italian church and the lack of legal recognition of same-sex couples reinforce this statement.
The term “razzismo” is often used in Italy to describe not only racial prejudice but other kinds of bigotry and discrimination – against gays, women, Sicilians and other southern Italians. More specific terminology, like “omofobico” (homophobic) and “sessista” (sexist) may be used, but in my experience, far less often than “razzista.
This quote exemplifies undelying tensions that exist in Italy’s community today. Further, Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana (ARCI) press release stated:
Racism, and the many ways in which it is manifested, represent a danger not only for those who experience its consequences, but also for democracy, because only by defending the rights of all is it possbile to guarantee the rights of everyone.
One cannot dismiss the rise of hate crime attacks that homosexuals are experiencing. Neither can the Italian church nor the government can no longer not take responsibility for such happenings. Being raised with the idea that “you will go to hell” and that “God hates you” is a very significant message to grow up with. Further, not having separation of “church and state” provides individuals with the power to oprress minorities. Such minorities are in real danger of being dismiss and unrecognized, as stated byPope Benedict XVI: [such minorities] present no real social demand. If gay Italians have little to no rights; then, gay migrants to Italy today are the minority of the minority. Where they are most likely to fall between the cracks of politics and they are in danger of not being heard nor acknowledged.
Bibliography:
1. Italians Clash on Gay 'marriage' BBC NEWS, 14 Jan. 2006. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4612802.stm>.
2. Hooper, John. "Italy's rights pledge as hate crimes rise| World News | The Observer." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 9 Oct. 2009. Web. 05 Mar. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/07/italy.gayrights>.
3. Flynn, Paul. "Pride and Prejudice." The Observer 2 Nov. 2011: 28-37. Print.
4. Pozzoli, Laura. "-LA MONTAGNA E LA CATENA - ESSERE MIGRANTI OMOSESSUALI OGGI IN ITALIA." -LA MONTAGNA E LA CATENA - ESSERE MIGRANTI OMOSESSUALI OGGI IN ITALIA (2009): 1-41. Web. <http://migra.arcigay.it/sites/migra.arcigay.it/files/Definitivo%20-%20report%20completo%20marzo%2009.pdf>.
5. Arcigay. "Tesseramento." Arcigay. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.arcigay.it/tesseramento>.
6. "Italian Activists Confront Racism and Homophobia." 10 July 2009. Web. 24 Feb. 2011. <http://crossmode.it/2009/06/25/ci-chiami-sporco-negro-e-lesbica-schifosa-ma-ti-offendi-se-ti-chiamano-italiano-mafioso/>.
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