Homotransphobia, Puglia launches its "Zan law"

A regional law will defend the LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination:a step that goes against the trend of national policies.

• The Puglia Region approves a law against homotransphobia with the aim of combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics.
• A first step, even if local, after the rejection of the Zan bill of the last legislature in the national parliament.
• Donato Metallo, the regional councilor who wrote the law, thanks civil society "which helped us demonstrate that discrimination can be defeated".

Italy is not, but at least Puglia is.The Bari Regional Council overtakes the national Parliament on the left, approving a law against homotransphobia quite similar to famous Zan bill which had been on the table throughout the last legislature, but then scuttled due to a lack of useful votes, and which would have represented a significant step towards a more just and equitable society, committed to inclusion and respect for diversity.Alessandro Zan, the parliamentarian who had proposed the law at national level, has nothing to do with this initiative, but the only substantial difference is in the definition of the law:Puglia officially speaks of transomophobia, compared to the more well-known and recognized definition of homotransphobia.

Homotransphobia and Donato Metallo, the “new Zan”

The new law of the Puglia Region against homotransphobia is aimed at combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics.Promoted by advisor Donato Metallo, of the Democratic Party, the law was accepted with a favorable majority, overcoming numerous opposition amendments.The main objective is prevent and combat discrimination and violence against them LGBT+ people, promoting a culture of inclusion and respect.The law aims to guarantee everyone the possibility to freely express their sexual orientation and gender identity, without fear of discrimination.

“It was a tiring journey, but it was full of light.And finally from today Puglia has a fight for LGBTIQ+ rights!– councilor Metallo, who created the law, rejoices – We have been waiting for it all these years, we have worked on it incessantly.Side by side with the associations that have never stopped instructing us, encouraging us, supporting us.And today we forcefully said that in Puglia you can be what you are, you can love who you love.That together we can fight against discrimination and violence."

Certainly, added Metallo, “a law is not enough, the change towards social justice comes through the awareness of each and every one of us.But today we wrote a beautiful page of history for our boys and girls, for our children, for the future of Puglia.And who knows, maybe from here, in this particular historical moment, a good signal will start for the whole of Italy."

What the Apulian regional law intervenes on

The Apulian law against transomophobia provides various initiatives to promote equality.These include employment policies that guarantee equal treatment and access to employment opportunities career without discrimination, as well as encouraging businesses to obtain social responsibility certifications.Furthermore, training programs are provided for teachers, school staff and parents, together with interventions against the bullying and cyberbullying.

The law against homotransphobia also promotes cultural and social events to raise public awareness about respect for LGBTQIA+ people.In the socio-health sector, support interventions are planned for LGBTQIA+ people and their families, guaranteeing the right to physical integrity for people with variations in sexual characteristics.The Region is also committed to protecting and supporting victims of discrimination or violence.A technical table will be set up for monitor discrimination, collecting data and collaborating with sector associations.Finally, the Regional Communications Committee will monitor media content to prevent discriminatory messages and promote respectful communication models.To support these initiatives, the law provides for annual funding of 240 thousand euros for the three-year period up to 2025.