Meet Francesco, one of the organizers of Milano Pride.
On June 28th, 1969 the Stonewall Riots kicked off a larger gay rights movement in the USA.
In 1970, the first gay pride marches took place in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago – today pride parades are taking place all around the world.
In 2018, I wanted to know who the people organizing today’s pride parades are, what the marches mean to them, and met wonderfully powerful, loving and kind people from places, which might not be the first ones that come to mind, when we think of queer love.
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FRANCESCO – MILANO PRIDE
What’s your name and age? My name is Francesco and I am 34 years old.
Why do you think Prides are important? A Pride is a positive statement to society: I am proud of who I am, and I am here to let the world know. This simple but strong statement is an act of awareness and freedom that elevates diversity to a social value: no one is left alone in our society and everyone has the same dignity as a human being no matter what their sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation or else.
So first of all, Prides are inclusive events which bring cohesion to the society and not seclusion. Secondly they are carried on with joy, music and colour in the streets of a city or a town like a real party which, again, everyone is invited!
What is one (or two) remarkable thing(s) that has/have happened at Milano Pride?
The trademark of Milan Pride are its flash mobs which are held at the end of the parade: in 2014 we created an expanse of hearts held in the hands of the thousands of participants to show to Italy the power of our love and in 2015 we held a similar sign with the world “Sì” (Yes), to push our Prime Minister to approve the first law for civil unions in our Parliament… which was signed the next year before the Pride of 2016!
What do you do when you’re not organizing Milano Pride? I am an engineer and I work in the IT department of a multinational company.
What’s one of your favourite pastimes? In fact, I am an activist for a section of Arcigay (the main Italian LGBT+ association) which goes to schools to speak to teenagers about bullying, diversity and homo- and transphobia. Besides that, I do love travelling, going to the gym and hanging out with my friends.
Is there something you would like to say to the rest of the LGBT+ community? A lot has been done until now, but a lot has still to be done! Let’s stay alert, proud and inclusive and let’s spread the spirit of Pride everywhere!
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Not different, just love
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