Finally, a home for transgender, intersex, and non-binary people, victims of transphobia. A safe place where they can reclaim their lives and find acceptance, a listening ear, and the serenity denied elsewhere.
"Refuge T – A Casa di Ornella" is the semi-autonomous home for trans people, named in memory of Ornella Serpa, a transfeminist activist who passed away in 2008. The fruit of the efforts of former Municipio VII councilor Cristina Leo and continued by the current administration, it is managed by Gay Center, which already manages the Refuge LGBT group home, together with Programma Integra. The home is already welcoming its first two guests.
Present at the inauguration event were Pietro Turano, spokesperson for the Gay Center, Valentina Fabbri, president of Programma Integra, Francesco Angeli, President of Arcigay Rome, Francesco Laddaga, president of Municipio VII, Adriana Rosasco, councilor for equal opportunities, Municipio VII, Michela Cicculli, president of the Equal Opportunities Commission of Rome Capital, Marilena Grassadonia, LGBT Rights Office of Rome Capital, and Flavia Cardini, president of the Equal Opportunities Commission of Municipio VII.
This morning, a bench in the colors of the transgender flag was also inaugurated at the Parco del Turismo, which houses the first plaque in Italy in memory of all victims of transphobia, and in particular Laura Ursaru, brutally murdered in the same EUR park.