To the Victors Goes Reform?
Romano Prodi’s victory in the Italian elections a few moths ago is a positive step in the acceptance of Italian gay, lesbian, and transgender population. The Prodi-led centre-left coalition included five lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people elected as members of the Italian parliament. In this case, the Italians finally added the T to LGB with Vladimir Luxiria, a transgender person, being elected to the Italian parliament, probably the first instance in Europe where a transgendered person has been elected to public office. This is a significant result not just for Italy but for all of Europe and European politics as LGBT because it shows that LGBT people are finally receiving a more prominent and visible place within the political arena. Riccardo Gottardi, Co-Chair of the ILGA-Europe Board, said: “We are happy to see a transgender person being elected as Italian parliamentarian. This is a sign that the European electorate is becoming more open minded and embracing the diversity of human kind.” Prodi’s coalition is expected to introduce some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples as most coalition members supported the idea in their election manifestos. It is also likely that Italy will improve its anti-discrimination legislation and expand its hate legislation to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and possibly that the new government will improve the present gender reassignment legislation.
Excerpted from: Transgender Person is Elected to Italian Parliament, Media Release, ILGA-Europe, 12 April 2006
