There are many rights of people, starting from those established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, taken from our Constitution, and many others, and yet, despite being inalienable, they are too often ignored, if not downright trampled upon.
Starting from this consideration, some Taranto associations have formed the collective “HumanPrideTaranto” to promote a new and innovative demonstration capable of promoting all civil rights and social inclusion; the first nucleus, in particular, was composed of Apmarr, Terra Jonica, Arci Puglia, New Market, Cest, Justice For Taranto e T Genus The idea then attracted interest and sharing from various associations and organizations, with over forty people joining the initiative.
All together they will give life to the first edition of the “Human Pride”, scheduled Saturday 6th July in Taranto, with Gathering in Acton Street at 5.00 pm, from where a colorful procession, full of joy and music, will set off through the streets of Taranto.
The parade will end in Garibaldi Square with moments of music and discussions, uniting the participants in a climate of celebration and reflection; the event is “dedicated” to Mimmo Martucci, historic activist from Taranto who passed away prematurely.
The “godmother” of the event will be the lawyer Cathy The Tower, a leading figure in the anti-discrimination rights landscape. La Torre, known for her commitment to fighting injustice and promoting equality, founded the law firm Wildside Human First, specializing in anti-discrimination law, digital rights and new technologies. Thanks to her work, La Torre has been awarded numerous prizes, including the title of best pro-bono lawyer in Europe in 2019 and the Emanuela Loi Courage Award in 2020.
The initiative was presented in Taranto at a press conference City Hall, In presence of Mikey Formisano, Mary Fontanella ed Elisa Absence, three activists of the promotional committee, and from Gabriella Ficocelli, Councillor for Social Services of the Municipality of Taranto, and Francesco Riondino, President of the Taranto Volunteer Services Center ETS, together with the Puglia Region, are sponsoring the event.
It was explained that the basis of the commitment of the participants in Human Pride is the sacredness of the human being, whose rights must be defended in an intersectional way.
The participants, in fact, recognize in concepts of homo/bi/transphobia, patriarchy, racism, sexism, ableism and exploitation, that root common to all forms of oppression that affect and discriminate against significant segments of the population.
In this sense they claim a joint reflection to eradicate from society the unconscious and endemic internalization of such abuses, perpetrated for centuries against many people, through peaceful, respectful and non-stereotyped communication.
On July 6, 2024, for the first time in a choral event, all those who have joined the Human Pride will march through the streets of Taranto, forcefully asking that they be placed at the center protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ peopleof women, of workers, of everyone live in a healthy environment and to the health of migrants, of non-conforming, non-binary bodies, of people in prisons, of trans people, of people with disabilities, of the rights of those who are made invisible by the commodification system that places profit at the center of relationships within society, especially the rights of all people whose self-determination is still compromised daily by political, legislative, physical and social barriers.
The ultimate goal of Human Pride is inform about equality and fight for equality social and legislative rights of all people, and to do so the participants ask associations and collectives, both local and otherwise, to join by networking and joining forces, supporting each other on the path towards true recognition and full application of rights.
This first 2024 edition will be only the first step, from which the Human Pride Taranto collective will begin to propose itself, without interruption, as welcoming observatory and social promotion in the area.
Participants in “Human Pride” Taranto 2024
No Binary Massafra, Justice for Taranto, Arci Calypso, Terra Jonica, Mediterranea Taranto, Mercato Nuovo, Videokult, Cest, Amnesty Taranto, T Genus, Nudi, Mondi, Citte Citte, Proloco Pulsano, Proloco Talsano, Auser, Arci Territoriale Taranto, The women’s house Taranto, A different road, Artava, La Factory, Ethra, Apmarr, Ammostro, CGIL Taranto, Dedalo, Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ, Provincial Democratic Party of Taranto, Equociqui Cooperative – Fair trade, NPS Puglia (Network of HIV-positive people), Dis-Education, Arci Puglia, Young Democrats, Collective 080, Arci Gagarin, Libera Taranto, “il Castello” photography club, Munart, The Olive, Radio Vera, Ohana, APS I Care and Electronic Lounge Taranto.
