Homophobia. Rome Gay Help-line: “Fleeing from family after coming out, many under 18”.

In one year 21 thousand requests for help from Lazio. On the occasion of the Day against homolesbo-transphobia, the balance of discrimination. "On the increase in attacks and robberies by criminal gangs"

ROME – A third of the over 21,000 calls received in the last year to the Contact center “Gay Help Line” of Roma Capitale report episodes of violence in the family after coming outand 27% of the victims followed are under 18. On the occasion of the International Day against Homolesbobitransphobia, the Contact Center of Roma Capitale-Gay Help Line (toll-free number 800 713 713) and the Speakly.org chat publishes data on the discrimination and violence suffered by the Lgbtq+ community in the last year.

IN ONE YEAR OVER 21 THOUSAND REQUESTS FOR HELP, 27% FROM YOUNG PEOPLE (11-18 YEARS)

In the last twelve months, the Contact Center and the chat have received over 21,000 contacts, of which 6,000 coming from the Rome and Lazio areas. Of these, 53% report having suffered episodes of violence, with36% mainly concerning young people and adolescents, whoreport violence within the family, strong> report in a statement.
Coming out in the family has in fact led to a violent response from relatives in 32.3% of the total cases followed by the Contact Center of which 27% of the victims are minors from 11 to 18 years old. 40.4% of the cases followed by the Contact Center involvedreception requests from LGBTQ+ people fleeing situations of family violence. Of these requests, 70.4% come from young users aged between 15 and 26.

INCREASE OF ROBBERIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBT+ PEOPLE BY CRIMINAL GANGS

In the last year, the phenomenon of robberies against LGBT+ people by criminal gangs has also emerged, which represent 5.4% of cases of violence. There is an increase in attacks on same-sex couples with threats and/or attacks in public places and in particular at meeting places of the LGBT+ community. School bullying continues to be a significant problem, with 6% of cases involving teenagers who are victims of bullying at school.

11 LGBT+ DESKS OPEN IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ROME, OTHERS OPENING SOON

“The data from the Contact Center of Roma Capitale – Gay Help Line confirm that episodes of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people are still a reality in our city and that it is therefore increasingly urgent to provide concrete support in the area. Last year In fact, on May 17th, we opened an Lgbt+ desk on an experimental basis within the PUA of Municipality To date, 11 branches are already active and others are soon to be opened, demonstrating Roma Capitale’s commitment to the LGBT+ community. Opening branches in all municipalities means reducing the distances between institutions and citizens. and responding to people’s real needs. Making Rome a true Capital of Rights is a challenge that, together with Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and the entire Administration, we are facing with seriousness and determination. We will continue to work in this direction because Rome is a capital that welcomes and leaves no one behind”, comments Monica Lucarelli Councilor for Security Policies, Productive Activities and Equal Opportunities of Rome Capital.

“ALARMING DATA, VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBT+ PEOPLE INCREASE”

Explains Alessandra Rossi, Gay Help Line Coordinator: “Since the start of the service, in March 2006, the Gay Help Line has received over 350,000 contacts, and as Contact Center of Roma Capitale is the institutional telephone reference point to support LGBT+ people. This year too, the data collected by the Gay Help Line 800 713 713 (gayhelpline.it). and from the Speakly.org chat, arealarmingin fact, it emerges that homolesbobistransphobia does not stop and the negative social impact of violence and discrimination is growing substantially. on LGBT+ people. The service data published on gayhelpline.it is homogeneous throughout the national territory, but we can note that the last year in Rome has been characterized by the phenomenon of violent robberies against LGBT+ people. In particular, in the territory of Lazio and Umbria several gangs have developed a criminal plan, which thanks to our service we have managed to denounce. What we note highlights the need for structured services throughout the territory that work in synergy between the various institutions and our service starting from schools”.
Concludes Marilena Grassadonia Coordinator of the LGBT+ Rights Office: ” Roma Capitale’s commitment to combating homo-lesbian-transphobic discrimination continues through the opening of more and more local centers and the dissemination of cultural and educational initiatives that speak to the LGBT+ community and to the city as a whole. This year, among the various initiatives that will take place throughout the city, we wanted to focus on the LGBTQIA+ people who experience our schools and how a welcoming and respectful school for all differences is the one we want to promote. This is what we will talk about at the Conference “LGBT+ people and school”which will be held Thursday 22 May from 9:00 am at the “Casa della Città, transparency and participation” in Via Giovanni da Verrazzano 7 with the participation of professionals, teachers, lgbtqia+ associations and networks that work within schools. A conference promoted by the LGBT+ Rights Office of Rome Capital which aims to be an opportunity for discussion and reflection on the importance of a school that is increasingly welcoming and respectful of all the subjectivities that inhabit it”.

RAINBOW FLAGS ON MAY 17TH ON THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE METROPOLITAN CITY OF ROME

“On the occasion of 17 May, International Day against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia and
Transphobia, the Metropolitan City of Rome, the Municipality of Rome, the Municipalities IV and This was announced by Rachele Giuliano, president of Arcigay Roma. “May 17 coincides with the date on which, in 1990, homosexuality was canceled from the register of mental illnesses by the World Health Organization and even today a constant commitment is necessary – continues Giuliano – to counteract the ‘homo-lesbian-bi-transphobia.