Yes, I know, you already know all these things. But they are extremely important. Therefore, I have decided to write them down in a (hopefully) clear and orderly way so that this short list can be a starting point, or at least give you some ideas, when you find yourself having to answer on the spot to the big question “Why do you side with the homosexuals if you’re not even one?” and you don’t really have any arguments immediately ready and well formulated to satisfy those who insist on receiving an answer.
The idea behind this list is the upcoming event “Le nostre vite, la nostra libertà” (“Our lives, our freedom”) which will be held in Milan in a few days, on October 3. For those of you who haven’t heard of this event, I will leave the official link HERE where you will find a detailed description of the initiative; it’s essentially a demonstration organised in defence of the secular state and the freedom of the citizens to be, to love and to decide. It seems almost banal to point out that Bossy is of course inviting all of our readers who can attend: although it’s not really a pride parade by definition – the title is in fact indicative of a situation where it’s more likely you will have to answer the so-called big question – it’s a great opportunity to go out and support a cause that concerns us all.
Are you not convinced yet? As promised, here are – in my opinion – nine (plus one) good reasons why we should all take part in pride parades:
1. We live in a world in which people “tolerate” and often do not bat an eye at violence, but in difference circumstances (alas too many) they just can’t accept love. Does it not seem a paradox to you? The overturning of the flower power: instead of “We respond to violence with love”, today “We respond to love with violence”.
2. Living in a society free of discrimination and inequality is right for all.
3. To act so that the society in which we live in is free of discrimination and inequality is a duty for all. We are fortunate enough to live in a country in which it’s possible to express one’s ideas and demonstrate peacefully to support them: if in the world around us there is something wrong, take to the streets to inform the rest of the nation is not only lawful and allowed, it’s indeed desirable. The citizens’ active participation in public life is what makes a democracy strong.
4. “Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life”. It’s not me who says this, but Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Italy, as a member of the European Union, recognises it as valid and authoritative in its own legal system. Not only this, the ECHR is such an important document that its provisions are directly applicable in our legal system. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg condemned Italy for the lack of legal recognition for same-sex couples (which, I repeat, will be required to comply).
5. Recognise legally those who are still deprived of the rights discussed in point 4 doesn’t mean in any way depriving those who already benefit from them.
6. The “family” status should be based on the concept of love, not of the sex.
7. No one, under any circumstances, is important enough to dare say that someone else’s love is wrong. (Unless the relationship in question involves violence or abuse, but then in this case it’s by definition not love. Trust me). There is a personal sphere of action in which no one apart from the individual who is directly concerned has a say.
8. To live in a secular state is not synonymous to iconoclasm, it doesn’t mean to destroy, to forget or to hinder the “traditions” of our country’s history, but it simply means to make space for others’ “traditions” next to ours. It means allowing everyone to live democratically according to one’s own faith and beliefs, according to ones’ own ideas and feelings, freely and without discrimination.
This is true up to the point where one’s freedom of action is not detrimental to others and to oneself, but – and here I go back to the point 6 – by definition love is not detrimental neither for the loved ones, nor for those around them.
9. “All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinions, personal and social conditions.
It is the duty of the Republic to remove those obstacles of an economic and social nature which, really limiting the freedom and equality of citizens, impede the full development of the human person and the effective participation of all workers in the political, economic and social organization of the country.”
Article 3 of the Italian Constitution.
67 (almost 68!) years after its entry into force, should it not be time for these beautiful words to become reality?
(10. Rainbows are beautiful.)
N.B. Point 10 is intentionally ironic. The intent is to “draw a smile” – even if just metaphorically – on the reader’s face and play down the dramatic situation that characterizes Italy in 2015 (no, I’m not exaggerating and yes, I am referring to the news in the recent months along with all the discrimination that takes place every day in our country, but that no one talks about).
It is also true that rainbows are beautiful.
A special thanks to Valeria for her expert advice on technical-legal matters.
