Italian Senate building. (Bigstock photo)
The Italian Senate blocked a bill Oct. 27 that would have classified anti-LGBTQ violence as a hate crime in the country.
Senators by a 154-131 vote margin thwarted the measure that would have also classified violence against women and people with disabilities as a hate crime. The Italian Chamber of Deputies previously approved the bill, despite opposition from the Vatican and center-right political parties.
Arcigay, an Italian LGBTQ rights group, has announced it will hold a series of protests across the country Oct. 29.
“Now is the time for anger,” said Arcigay General Secretary Gabriele Piazzoni in a press release. “Yesterday’s vote will return like a curse on this political class: We will no longer be satisfied.”
https://t.co/tus5tmDTm1 OMOTRANSFOBIA, LE PIAZZE SI MOBILITANO CONTRO L’AFFOSSAMENTO DEL DDL. STASERA A CUNEO, VICENZA, MILANO, ROMA, VARESE. DOMANI BRESCIA, SABATO FIRENZE, PESARO, PADOVA, MONZA, MANTOVA E PALERMO.Bologna, 28 ottobre 2021 – A seguito della votazione avvenuta … pic.twitter.com/abcVHhTBn5
— Arcigay (@Arcigay) October 28, 2021
ILGA-Europe Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel also condemned the vote.
“It is sad and extremely worrying to see the Italian Senate saying no to better protection against hate for women, LGBTI people and disabled people,” said Hugendubel in a tweet. “Have you asked yourselves what signal that sends to haters and more importantly to the concerned communities?”
It is sad and extremely worrying to see the Italian Senate saying no to better protection against hate for women, LGBTI people and disabled people. Have you asked yourselves what signal that sends to haters and more importantly to the concerned communities? https://t.co/dr2s3QT8dO
— Katrin Hugendubel (@khugendubel) October 28, 2021
