Help - We'll Listen

I was both surprised and pleased to see these posters on the wall of a school that's on my route to work. Though regular school is out there are summer classes going on. Its all part of a new campaign by the GayHelpLine here in Italy.

This set of posters addresses communication between parents and gay children. The HelpLine makes the point that it is there for either parents who know their children are gay but can't talk to them about it or the gay person who can't talk to their parents. If you can't talk to them then talk to us.

The campaign also has a video component - though I am seriously wondering what venues it will be seen on.



Still an effective piece of - particularly as it includes the father which the poster campaign doesn't. But I am happy to see that it aims at peer groups as well as the family.


And if it helps one gay man or woman then it has done its job.

05 luglio - Sant'Antonio Maria Zaccaria

Rome Pride 2010

This weekend - as in many cities and towns - it was Gay Pride weekend. Over the past few years - and despite some unsettling incidents - the festivities have become more open and are certainly well publicized.

The slogan for this year's Pride has been: ogni bacio una rivoluzione - each kiss a revolution.



And being Italy the political parties jump on the bandwagon peppering the town with posters. This one from the CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) has been appearing around town the past week or so:

Its very inclusive: Hetero, Gay, Lesbian, Trans-gender and I am assuming the * means some of the below, all of the below or I'm undecided.

And the three words central to it all:

Freedom
Rights
Secularism

The later, not surprisingly coming from a Far-Left organization, being a not so subtle reference to freedom from the influence of the Church (Meaning of course Big Ben and the Boys in the City across the River). An interesting concept here of all places.

Happy Pride to all my friends celebrating everywhere this weekend.

04 luglio

Poster Politic

This poster has appeared all over Roma today.

Here's what it says (not translated word for word but with the intent) with apologies for any of the epithets.

NOTE: I have found a more powerful translation which is an even clearer message:

You call me a dirty nigger or a disgusting lesbian
But you are offended if I call you Mafioso.

Racism (prejudice) is a boomerang.
Sooner or later it comes back to you.

24 giugno - San Giovanni Batista