“May 17, 1990 – WHO removes homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.
May 17, 2021 – the 31st International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is celebrated around the world.”
2021 is the year in which, according to Ilga Europe, Italy falls to 35th place in the ranking of European countries for policies protecting human rights and equality for LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people.
In 2021, in Italy, many LGBT+ people were affected by discrimination, hatred, and violence due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Gay Help Line, national contact center against homophobia and transphobia, we receive more than 50 contacts per day (between line(e chat) more than 20,000 a year.
About 60% of users fall into the age group 13-27. The impact of prejudice and discrimination has a particular impact on young people: this is because the problems begin as soon as they come out to their families.
The data shows that in the last year, 1 in 2 LGB young people experienced moderate or serious family problems following their coming out. The percentage rises to 70% if the coming out concerns gender identity, i.e., trans people.
For the 36% of the minors The reaction to coming out has included rejection by family members or peers, repression through isolation, confinement at home, even to the detriment of school attendance, attempts at conversion through pressure on gender expression and sexuality, verbal abuse, and physical violence.
For the boys' 17% adults who have contacted Gay Help Line Coming out meant losing financial support from their families; most of them were consequently abandoned and left on the streets. The Refuge LGBT+ house welcomes these young people and supports them in overcoming the trauma they experienced and achieving independence through training and job search.
Victims struggle to report: the phenomenon of’under reporting has a worrying impact on the recognition of the extent of discrimination and violence. The data from Gay Help Line They tell us that in the last year, during the COVID period, blackmail and threats suffered by LGBT people have increased from 11% to 28%. Cases of mobbing and discrimination at work have increased from 3 to 15%.
Furthermore, in the year in which the pandemic limited socialization to the web, the 30% of LGBT+ students who contacted the Gay Help Line he said he had suffered episodes of cyberbullying e hate speech online.
This is the time to address a stubborn flaw in Italian legislation, which effectively leaves LGBT+ people unprotected against discrimination, hatred, and violence, and fails to recognize sexual orientation and gender identity as the factors that motivate prejudice.
Alessandra Rossi – Gay Help Line Coordinator
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