Italy: Stop conversion practices against LGBTQIA+ people
Sign now

Sign now to ban so-called "conversion therapies" and guarantee the universal right to sexual orientation and gender identity in Italy.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are fully-fledged fundamental rights, according to the Italian Constitutional Court.

However, some LGBTQIA+ people are still facing "modification" or "correction" by family, religious leaders, counselors, and others.

These are self-proclaimed health professionals who often use dangerous, underhanded and invasive treatments.

Science, for at least thirty years, has been clear: being gay, bi or trans is counted as a mere condition of human sexuality (World Health Organization 1990 and 2019).

According to FRA's latest data (EU LGBTIQ Survey III), 24% of LGBTQIA+ people across Europe have experienced conversion practices. In Italy, the percentage is 18%, 1 in 5 people.

These practices cause harm to people's mental and physical health and are associated with an increased risk of suicide (2020 United Nations Independent Expert Report).

Among conversion attempts the following have been documented: administration of hormones, use of forced masturbation, pain therapies, hypnosis, internment in clinics, camps and centers, pseudo psychological and religious counseling, exorcisms and even electroshock.

The United Nations has called these inhumane and degrading treatments, comparable to torture.

Many countries around the world have already passed laws banning these practices, while in Italy there is not a single regulation protecting the health, well-being and rights of LGBTQIA+ people, leaving them exposed to all sorts of risks coming from attempts to change them.

The European Parliament, the European Union and the Council of Europe have repeatedly spoken out on the need to ban these practices.

Sign this petition to support this bill seeking to ban all forms of "conversion therapies," while recognizing and protecting the freedom, equality and health of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity (you can read the draft bill in Italian here).

Promoting groups: Gaynet – Formazione e Comunicazione sui temi LGBTQIA+, Rete Lenford - Avvocatura per i diritti LGBTI+, ARCIGAY – Associazione LGBTI+ Italiana, MIT - Movimento Identità Trans, AGEDO – Associazione genitori, parenti, amiche e amici di persone LGBT+, Libellula Italia APS, Gender X, Circolo di Cultura Omosessuale Mario Mieli, Famiglie Arcobaleno – Associazione genitori omosessuali, Rete Genitori Rainbow, Genderlens, ALFI – Associazione Lesbica Femminista Italiana, ARCO - Associazione Ricreativa Circoli Omosessuali, AGAPANTO aps. Anzian* LGBTQ+, I Sentinelli di Milano, AMIGAY aps, CEST Centro Salute Trans e Gender Variant, NUDI – Nessuno Uguale Diversi Insieme, TGenus, EDGE LGBTI+ leaders for change, Cammini di Speranza, Tenda di Gionata, Dì Gay project, Omphalos LGBTI, Possibile LGBTI+, Antinoo Arcigay Napoli, Pride Vesuvio Rainbow, Pochos, Napoli Pride, Vesuvio Pride e Coordinamento Campania Rainbow.

0people have signed
Goal: 20,000

Parliament of the Italian Republic

Leading international indicators, such as ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map and FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) data, confirm that Italy ranks lowest among European countries when it comes to equal rights for LGBTQIA+ people. They note a growing use of hate speech and beliefs that LGBT+ people can be re-educated or, even worse, "cured."

International studies and data confirm the urgency of stopping "conversion therapies." These are illegitimate and dangerous practices, ranging from psychological abuse to physical violence, defined as real torture by the United Nations in 2020. Trying to change a person's sexual orientation and gender identity, moreover, has no scientific basis, as medical-psychiatric, psychological and psychoanalytic associations from more than 65 countries say (ILGA World, 2020).

These practices are the tip of an iceberg that hides biases, stereotypes and discrimination that are still extremely widespread, along with a precise vision of society in which there are first and second-class people.

We want to fight discrimination, prevent suicides, the persecution of our identities, and make Italy more welcoming for every person and every family.

Fighting attempts to convert LGBTQIA+ people means intervening in the culture and passing a law that opens a new chapter on civil rights.

The European Parliament has spoken out repeatedly, since its 2018 resolution, recommending that member states pursue this path. Likewise, the Council of Europe and the European Commission have spoken out.

We call on all political forces in Parliament to take all necessary actions to:
– stop the dangerous rhetoric against LGBTQIA+ people, actively promote actions to counter the climate of hate against LGBTQIA+ people and follow the example of other founding countries of the European Union;
– discuss and pass a law banning "conversion therapies" that protects, without exclusion, all sexual orientations and gender identities and helps bridge Italy's regulatory gap on LGBTQIA+ equality.

Campaign started by Meglio a Colori
0people have signed
Goal: 20,000
Campaign started by Meglio a Colori

More ways to take action today!