Several activities planned in Italy for the week of IDAHOT

Italy will see a series of events held for the IDAHOT in many different cities, including the IDAHOT a Free Expression zone in Bologna, vigils against Homophobia and a meeting & discussion round for women* about the good practice to tackle Homophobia and Transphobia.

Photo: Christmas Lights in Rome 2013 in rainbow colours in solidarity with LGBT people. Source
Free Expression Zone in Bologna
On May 17, there will be a Free Expression Zone in Piazza dei Celestini, Bologna, starting at 10:00am.
The event is organised by the LGBT Centre Cassero and its volunteers group named PeopAll
The FEZ is supported by following associations: Arcilesbica Bologna, Agedo, MIT, Famiglie Arcobaleno, BUGS SPORT, KOMOS, Hamelin, SISM, SDU, UniLgbtq, MigraBo LGBT, Amnesty International, Igor and Terra di Nettuno that represent the LGBT community of Bologna and the students associations and the partners in the field of human rights.
All day long, the participants will interact with people passing by to raise awareness about homophobia and transphobia. But there will also be some fun moments like animation for kids, a gay chorus singing, a sport demonstration and a live painting.
You can find out more about the event and the organisers on the Cassero LGBT Centre website or on Facebook.
Case della Donne di Milano
On the weekend of the IDAHOT, Casa delle Donne di Milano will host a meeting with women to reflect and share thoughts, experiences and good practices. There will be an intersectional approach, trying to address different levels andforms of discrimination lesbian, bisexual and trans women face.
Speakers will be:
– Milena Cannavacciuolo: responsible for sito www.lezpop.it
– Helen Ibry: Antropologist and President of Arcilesbica Zami
– Eva Schwarzwald: Progetto Rainbow – Rights Against Intolerance: Building an Open-minded World
For more information, please visit their Facebook page or website.
Vigils against Homophobia and Transphobia
These prayer vigils against homophobia are promoted in Italy by Gionata, the Italian Commission on Faith and homosexuality and in Europe with the support of the European Forum of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups.
For further information on this ecumenical initiative, go to inveglia.wordpress.com or gionata.org or write to gionatanews@gmail.com
THURSDAY MAY 15
FLORENCE (Italy). Ecumenical prayer vigil in remembrance of victims of homophobia and transphobia. Madonna della Tosse Parish Church, Largo Adone Zoli 1 at 9pm. Prayers to stop homophobic violence and build spaces in our society and in our churches that unconditionally welcoming Others. This vigil has been organized by the Kairos Group Christians GLBT of Florence along with other Christian communities and associations of good will.
PALERMO (Italy). Vigil to overcome homophobia and transphobia at 8:30pm. Starting at Waldensian Church in via Spezio no. 45, followed by candlelight walk to Catholic parish of SS. Pietro e Paolo in via Bentivegna 62.
Organized by: Ali d’aquila – LGBT Christians of Palermo; Community of San Francesco Saverio; Catholic parish of S. Gabriele Arcangelo; Laici Missionari Comboniani ; Waldensian Church of Via Spezio, Palermo ; Waldensian Church of Trapani & Marsala; Lutheran Church ; Kairòs Community ; Parish of SS. Pietro e Paolo.
FRIDAY MAY 16
PADUA (Italy). Prayer vigil in remembrance of victims of homophobia at 8.45pm in Santa Caterina d’Alessandri Church, Via Cesare Battisti 245. Organized by ‘Emmanuele’ gay Christian group of Padua.
PARMA (Italy). Prayer vigil in remembrance of victims of homophobia, Methodist Church of Parma, in Borgo Giacomo Tommasini corner of Borgo Riccio at7:00pm. Organized by Methodist Community of Parma with the help of a group of gay Christians.
ROME (Italy). Prayer vigil in memory of victims of homophobia and transphobia at 7:30pm in piazza SS. Apostoli (in front of the Basilica dei SS. Apostoli). Organized by groups of Christians LGBT: Nuova Proposta, La Sorgente and REFO.
SATURDAY MAY 17
BORGO PRIOLO (Pavia – Italy). Prayer vigil in remembrance of victims of homophobia organized by La Fonte Group of Milan at the OASI ROSA MISTICA Center in Località Torrazzetta, Borgo Priolo (Province of Pavia).
CATANIA (Italy). Ecumenical prayer vigil for victims of homophobia at 9:00 pm in the SS. Crocifisso della Buona Morte Catholic parish chruch in Piazza Falcone.
Organized by gay Christian group Fratelli dell’Elpis and parish community of SS. Crocifisso.
PINEROLO (Turin – Italy). Prayer vigil or victims of homophobia and transphobia at 5:00pm at ARCI in Stradale Baudenasca 17. Organized by La Scala di Giacobbe group of Pinerolo.
ROME (Italy). To mark the International Day against Homophobia, Prayer Service at 5:00pm & Concert at 8:00pm at the Waldensian Church in Piazza Cavour 32.
TURIN (Italy).Sunday worship service to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. At 6.30pm in the Waldensian Temple located in corso Principe Oddone 7. The Waldensian church and the via Passalacqua Baptist church will be meeting together at the corso Principe Oddone 7 church to celebrate the service together.
TRIESTE (Italy). Prayer Vigil for victims of homophobia, Methodist Church in Scala dei Giganti, 1 (near piazza Goldoni) in Trieste. At 7:30pm doors open for welcoming and at 8:30pm beginning of prayer vigil. Organized by Progetto Ruah of Trieste.
SUNDAY MAY 18
FLORENCE (Italy): Interdenominational Sunday worship service for victims of homophobia and transphobia hosted by Waldensians and Old Catholics at the Waldensian Church of Florence at 10.30am in via Micheli corner of via Lamarmora.
Organized by ecumenical group “Fiumi d’Acqua Viva – pace, giustizia e salvaguardia del Creato” and with the participation of Kairos Catholic group.
GROSSETO (Italy). Sunday morning worship service in remembrance of victims of homophobia and transphobia at 11.00am in Grosseto Baptist Church di in via Piave 17. Organized by Claudia Angeletti
MILAN (Italy). Sunday morning worship service in observance of the International Day against Homophobia at 10.45am in the Waldensian Church of Milan on Via Francesco Sforza 12/a. Pastor Dorothee Mack. Organized by the Varco-Refo Group Milan.
NAPLES (Italy). Vigil in memory of victims of homophobia at 6:00pm in Waldensian Temple on via Duomo 275 at the corner of via dei Cimbri. Organized by gay Christian group Ponti Sospesi along with other communities, associations and Christian groups in the city.
PADUA (Italy). Sunday workshop service “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18) to mark the International Day against Homophobia at 11:00 in the Methodist Church of Padua in Corso Milano 6.
TUESDAY MAY 20
GENOA (Italy). Prayer vigil for victims of HomoTransphobia at 6:30pm at the catholic parish of San Benedetto al Porto in via San Benedetto. Organized by Bethel group of LGBT believers in Liguria.
THURSDAY MAY 22
MILAN (Italy). Prayer vigil for victims of HomoTransphobia at 9:00pm at the San Gabriele Church in Via Termopili (MM1 Pasteur). Organized by Il Guado group.
FRIDAY JUNE 6
CREMONA (Italy). Vigil for victims of discrimination at S. Gerolamo Catholic Church in Piazza Duomo at 9pm. Organized by Querce di Mamre group, which is a Diocese ministry group for gay people
A Sunday worship service will also be held in LIVORNO (Italy). Day and time to be announced.