ALESSANDRA ROSSI (GAY HELP LINE COORDINATOR) ANSWERS

Gay Help Line is the national anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia contact center for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, managed by the Gay Center. What kind of work do you do?

Our service offers support and a listening space through the toll-free number 800713713 and the anonymous chat service Speakly.org to people in the LGBT+ community who need a channel to share anything they might not otherwise be able to share within their own social spaces.
The service guarantees non-judgmental listening, transcending prejudices and stereotypes, which is essential for strengthening a positive self-identity, avoiding the stigmatization and exclusion that unfortunately still exist in our country.
We offer counseling services for people experiencing discrimination, violence, or hatred based on their sexual orientation or gender identity within family settings, at work, or from strangers. Homophobia and transphobia act as a source of prejudice and, therefore, ignore the individual's knowledge. It can affect anyone, with negative consequences for the entire community.
Our care includes a listening space with operators who have different professional legal skills. In addition, we provide psychological support and family mediation services, precisely because coming out It can often create a rift between oneself and the important people in one's life.
Furthermore, the social mediation we provide supports the completion of their training and prevents them from being excluded from the world of work.

What are the biggest obstacles that keep people from contacting you?

They can vary depending on age. Younger boys and girls, whether minors or just over 18, may fear further victimization or misunderstanding. They're often accustomed to living in isolation and don't imagine that on the other end of the phone or screen, if they use chat to contact us, there might be a community that speaks to them and is ready to welcome them and give them back that space of visibility. Precisely because what they've experienced is somehow self-stigmatized, it's often fear that holds them back.
As for older people, there may be a reluctance to navigate the legal guardianship system.

MARINA MARINI (COORDINATOR OF REFUGE LGBT AND REFUGE T*)

Refuge LGBT+ offers a first-line shelter service for young victims of homophobia and trans people aged 16 to 25 who have experienced discrimination. How do you access the service and what services are offered to shelter residents?

Refuge LGBT+, like all our services, can be accessed by calling the toll-free number 800713713 or through a dedicated, anonymous chat service, Speakly.org, which is widely used by younger people. The service listens to the person's story and then provides a series of assessments regarding possible services.
The shelter's service is not limited to welcoming the person, but the association offers legal, psychological and counseling, We also work with migrants who need to legalize their status in the country, and sometimes with families in need. We also offer a range of training and job placement services.
We also provide a tutoring service for those attending the school, which is essential for maintaining regular contact with teachers and administrators.

You work closely with many young people who come to you with very difficult experiences and who, thanks to the project, find new hope for their future. How do you encourage them when they no longer have any prospects?

We welcome boys and girls aged 16 to 25 who, at the time of their coming out they have suffered domestic violence, not only physical but also psychological.
The people who come here obviously have vulnerabilities and first of all we try to rebuild a safe base for them.
They have different histories, experiences, and contexts; the more widespread and complex the fragility, the more our work must intensify.
For us, it's not just a job; it's a mission that translates into a daily commitment we carry out with all our strength to help these people achieve independence and a life of their own.

WE ASKED RAY, A BENEFICIARY, TO SHARE HER EXPERIENCE

How did you come into contact with the project? 

I came into contact with the project after yet another unpleasant situation arose at home and the violence escalated. I asked a friend for advice, who told me to call Gay helpline, and I did. At first, that "chat" comforted me, then they told me they'd put me in touch with a teacher. I honestly didn't expect such seriousness.
A few hours later another person contacted me and asked me again to tell my story.
A few days later, between one conversation and another, it was assumed I was in order to enter the shelter. I didn't expect to be eligible; in reality, I was experiencing a situation of violence far greater than I wanted to see.

What was it like for you to arrive at the shelter and what kind of journey did the project lead you to?

For me, arriving at the shelter was important and meant entering into dialogue; the first thing I did was adopt a different name as a non-binary person.
One of the questions they asked me was whether or not I wanted psychological counseling. I'd been hoping for years and immediately said yes. This process has proven invaluable, and I'm still continuing it, even though I'm already out of the shelter.
At first, I had some difficulty getting used to the house rules; they seemed too strict, but they later proved helpful. I had a lot of difficulty interacting with people, but thanks to the experience I've had at the house, I feel more comfortable in my social settings and interacting with others.

Where do you see yourself in a few years? 

In a few years, I hope to have made significant progress in my current relationship with my girlfriend, with whom I'm building a beautiful bond based on emotional education and excellent communication.
I'm also making lots of friends, and in five years I see myself settling down, maybe with kids.
As for my career, I started out as a singer and I'd like to have already achieved something significant in this aspect of my life, in Italy or abroad...

If you had to send a message to your peers, what would it be?

Since these are somewhat complex times, filled with so much bad news, I would say not to be discouraged, even if it seems absurd to say such a thing, but I say it's the only thing you can actually do.
Putting aside the pain to take advantage of the current social situation and deliver a powerful message. Even in fear, we must find space to say what needs to be said.
Rain is the cause of the rainbow, and even on rainy days, there's still sunshine behind the clouds. It's important to find the beauty in the bad to get out of situations and not give up.