From 9 May to 6 June many events will be held in Verona on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
For the second year the city of Verona, on the occasion of International Day against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia which will be held on May 17th, chooses to support and promote a broad joint program of initiatives under an important slogan that aims to support all families, decided by the coordination of the RE.A.DY network. (National network of Regions and Local Authorities to prevent and overcome homolesbobitransphobia).
The administration, through the Equal Opportunities Department, continues its action to promote and support activities aimed at overcoming discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity with the desire to go beyond the gap that has been created over the years. Recognizing the role played in the Verona area for decades by LGBTQIA+ associations and groups and the importance of the services they provide to citizens, the Department of Equal Opportunities promotes a joint program of events.
The program of the event for gday of May 17th involves, in addition to the Municipality, the University of Verona with the PoliTeSse research centre, the Circolo Pink, Pianeta Milk, SATPink, Famiglie Arcobaleno, Agedo, Eimi, UDU Unione degli Studenti Universitari and the Rete Studenti Medi.
Program of events
The Equal Opportunities Department of the Municipality of Verona, with the patronage of the CUG of the Municipality of Verona, organizes for Thursday 6 June at 2.30 pm, in the Farinati room of the Civic Library, a meeting entitled Words are important: for a city that does not discriminatewith the presence of Francesca Vecchioni of Fondazione Diversity and author of the volume Unconscious prejudices. Because clichés are always so crowded (Mondadori, 2020).
This meeting, open to citizens, is aimed in particular at municipal communication staff and has the objective of opening a reflection that can help to take note of the importance of conscious use of words, in order to contribute to promoting inclusive behavior .
Other initiatives planned
Thursday 9 May, at 6pm, at the Libreria Libre!, basement of Acqua Morta 38, the presentation of the book Politics of bisexuality (ETS Editions, 2023) with the editor of the volume Aurelio Castro. Organized with the PoliTeSse Research Center, University of Verona.
Friday 10 May, from 9am to 1pm, in the Aula Magna Giurisprudenza – UNIVR, in via Montanari 9, the event Equal families, in the city that does not discriminate, aimed at pupils in the 3rd and 4th classes of high schools.
Promoted by the LGBTQIA+ associations and the PoliTeSse Research Center. University of Verona.
Sunday 11 May, from 10am to 5pm, at the Circolo Primo Maggio in Montorio, via Lanificio 60, the Family Day.
Famiglie Arcobaleno and the other LGBTQIA+ associations of Verona organize and invite the citizens of Verona to a recreational/cultural morning to get to know the reality of same-parent families firsthand.
On May 16th, from 8.30pm to 10.30pm, at Circolo Pink, via Cantarane 63c,
the event Stone Butch Blues (Asterisco Edizioni, 2024), collective reading with Irene Villa, sensitive reader of the new edition. Organized by Circolo Pink Verona and Sat Pink.
On May 17th, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in the Sala Civica Elisabetta Lodi, via S. Giovanni in Valle 13, the round table LGBTQIA+ policies in Italy today. The associations discuss the state of LGBTQIA+ mobilizations in Italy with some activists. Organized by the LGBTQIA+ associations of Verona.
On May 20th, at 4 pm in room A, Palazzo Ex Economia, UNIVR, in via dell’Artigliere 19, the event Public opinion in Italy and LGBT+ issues: the results of an unpublished survey. Presentation of the research with: Pamela Pansardi (UniPD), Massimo Prearo and Federico Trastulli (UniVR). By the PoliTeSse Research Center. University of Verona
On May 29th, at 4 pm, in the SPB Silos di Ponente classroom – Polo Santa Marta, UNIVR, in via Cantarane 27, the appointment LGBT+ political careers: an obstacle course? Debate with Massimo Prearo and Federico Trastulli. The results of the GENPOLEAD research (UNIPV-UNIVR, Fondazione Cariplo) will be presented; Lawyer Gianmarco Negri, Mayor of Tromello (PV). Screening of the documentary film Good Times for a Change, by Elena Comoglio and Mick De Paola. By the PoliTeSse Research Center of the University of Verona.
Initiative of the RE.A.DY network: Discover the differences: rights and homo-parental families.
International day against homolesbobitransphobia
The Day commemorates May 17, 1990, the date on which the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.
The Day was recognized and made its own by the European Union with the Resolution of the European Parliament of 26 April 2007, which declared the International Day against homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
From 1990 to today, LGBTQIA+ people have achieved many achievements in many countries around the world, including Italy, thanks to the commitment of associations and movements that have also managed to set the institutions in motion. But there is still a lot to do against homolesbobitransphobia in society, in culture, in politics, where new forms of bullying and organized intolerance react to the greater visibility of LGBTQIA+ people.
The graphics of poster that promotes all the initiatives linked to the day of May 17, 2024 it is the work of Sofia Meli of the Artistic High School of Verona. The illustration was selected among the 36 received following a graphic competition on the theme of families, in which the 3O and 3G classes participated. The works will be visible at the Rainbow Family Festival on May 11th and at the University on May 10th.
