Turin not friendly. From the capital of rights to the most homophobic city in Italy?

Article by Claudia Luise and Pasquale Quaranta published in the newspaper La Stampa - Turin edition of 16 May 2023, page 45

From capital of rights to the most homophobic city in Italy. Or at least, so it would seem. It makes a certain effect also to write it but a Report of the "Chronicles of ordinary homophobia" project - drawn up in view of the world day that is celebrated tomorrow, as every year - sees the Piedmontese capital at the top of the list of cities that have recorded multiple attacks against homosexual people. The data collected by Massimo Battaglio, which can be downloaded from the site www.homophobia.org, refer to the period from April 2022 to March 2023.

The Episodes reported in Italy are 115 for 165 victims distributed in 62 locations. Observing the map of Italy, a large blue circle, symbol of "multiple aggressions", which stands out on Piedmont, jumps to the eye. If the greatest number of homophobic aggressions has always occurred not so much in the most populous regions but in those in which there are large cities (Lazio, Campania, Lombardy), in 2022-2023 there was a significant drop in episodes reported in Lombardy and a Determined increase in Piedmont, which becomes the most homophobic region of the country, both in absolute value and in relation to the population.

And so the city that saw the birth of the Italian revolutionary homosexual unitary front (outside!) In the seventies now appears to be the "less friendly" one, to use an understatement: in a year there were complaints from 23 victims, exceeding A far the most populous Rome (18), Milan (10) Enapoli (15).

By widening the gaze to the rest of the peninsula, it is noted that the rate of violence is growing: the sum of the victims of physical aggression (single or multiple) and murder reaches 50%, exceeding the Lamed of the last ten years. At national level, two murders were recorded, 4 suicides (probably an underestimated number), an attempted suicide and 76 non -aggressive but of serious criminal relevance, which represent 46% of the complaints. Solo is most exposed: among the victims they denounced, 30% (50 people) suffered individual attacks, while 19% (32 people) were involved in group attacks or in pairs.

«Turin is not immune but the city has developed antibodies over the years to resist these assaults and ensure that they are pointed out with collective indignation - explains Marco Giusta of the Turin Pride coordination - Fondamemental therefore becomes a contrast that begins in schools through emotional and sexual education".

For the right «The diffusion of an inclusive culture is based on the enhancement of differences and on a clear warning by the institutions that openly condemn any form of violence and discrimination. The great work that associations do in the area must be supported not only in words, but in fact. We wait for the Unar (National Office of Racial Anti -Discrimination) on the indication of the Government, it is decided to refinance these services that try to build an embankment of discrimination".

While Jacopo Rosatelli, city councilor for welfare, underlines that "More complaints no longer necessarily means cases but it can mean a greater awareness of the people of their right to greed free, not to passively suffer but react». In this year he received some young people who have been attacked in areas of nightlife: "I was able to see how aware they were of the importance of contacting the police. We are committed to being by their side and we will reiterate all this during a meeting tomorrow at the Astrarivolto theater in schools». -

> 23 complaints recorded in Turin in a year. There were 18 in Rome and 10 in Milan (source: homophobia.org)

> 115 the episodes reported in Italy and hit 165 victims distributed in 62 locations (source: homophobia.org)