The place of homosexuality in public discourse in Italy
As luck would have it the same day that started Sgarbi the tragicomic story of the Milan exhibition on art and homosexuality, Veltroni dedicated a square in Rome with Paolo Seganti, gay killing by a stranger in a small garden in the capital.
The second news item appeared on the Roman chronicles, and on some sites, while the former has kept us company (so to say ....) For several days and many newspapers and television. The difference in visibility is known: in general "worth" much more negative news than positive, and there is much to be surprised because it is so always and for all. But I think it is worthwhile to dwell a little on the meaning of the two initiatives - indeed describe the "action stage" - and what better than many essays they simplify the difference between left and right approach to homosexuality in Italy today. Of some left and some right, but that's another story ...
The Milan show was the attempt to reconcile the right Sgarbi with the contemporary reality of gay, or what the mainstreaming of communication in which we are immersed believed to be contemporary. In the Western world today the connection between art, homosexuality and fashion is one of the most powerful common places - in the etymological sense of the term - that shines through, unchallenged, from magazines such as the cultural initiatives. How might the Councillor for Culture of the capital of Italian fashion and design does not reflect this reality? For a city that faces all day with London, Paris, Berlin and Madrid the gap between the public presence of gays in those cities and Milan is almost dramatic. It is from this angle that one can understand the attempts by the Milanese to organize the exhibition "Vade Retro" or whatever they finally called. Sure we can argue whether that was the best way to accomplish this effort (I personally doubt proud of ....), As it seems to me that the charge challenging the initiative, although denied, has been widely exhibited since from the preview of the exhibition with all that flickering of drag queens and half-naked young men. But this does not mean that, in its way, Sgarbi took a matter of fact very clear to those involved in culture and communication: the Italian right to homosexuals do not exist, simply, and every time they appear in public debate must be brought back to the three or four well-known stereotypes. Because if they existed, or whether they could observe without the distorting lenses of injury ethics of religious hierarchies (alas, not only of the Catholic Church) would realize that there are normal people, who are denied certain rights in the name of an ethical vision of the state .
Veltroni has made an "action stage" of a different nature: the meaning of the gesture is of great social importance. Choose to call a homosexual person killed by unknown to the square of the park where he was killed means deploying institutions, and themselves, so the net against homophobic violence. Veltroni has not hidden behind the finger of "if asked for it ..." and took place, clearly, against this violence. But, and here is the limit of this initiative in 2007 in Italy can not be more satisfied with compassion. Violence against homosexuals is also fighting on the other land, not just of symbolic gestures, however great may be their communicative value. And above all you must take a stand out clearly against those who believe that homosexuals are second class citizens and against those who think that discussing rights in our country means to win the right: Is not this thinking, in fact, the majority of the ruling class of the left? Is it not on the basis of this fear - then upset the Catholic hierarchy - that the Italian left has failed its two opportunities to bridge the gap between Italy and the rest of Europe on human rights (not just gay people)? There are two legislatures were well, this and XIII (May 9, 1996 - March 9, 2001), but nothing concrete has happened. And 'as if the left did pretend that gay people exist, recognizing their compassion in times of pain and persecution, but nothing positive at the time of the statement rights.
This is the junction point between the 'action stage "Sgarbi and that of Veltroni: both start from the observation that the homosexual question today is central to public discourse in the country, and strive to provide positive responses, growth-enhancing in the country on this issue (the "clearance" of homosexuality to the Italian right and the "active struggle" against homophobia in public institutions), but both actions are likely to be only a celebration of themselves and of those who have conceived and staged unless it is accompanied from the concrete.
In other words: Councilor Sgarbi is still a large metropolis. We must be satisfied of its action on stage or we can and must ask for anything more? Veltroni is still one of the main center-left leaders: just the compassionate gesture, important as it is?
Both attitudes seem to me not up to the Italian reality. What it needs instead of clear decision on the homosexual question as well as on many other issues that cast on our society.
Enzo Cucco
