The Unheard Voice of Lgbtiq+ Children in Italy: Atavistic Problems and Practical Solutions.

Italy is traditionally a very religious country. Although the process of secularisation is also affecting our country, the level of influence of the Catholic Church on both society and politics is still very high. This means that in the contexts of children, childhood, school, and sexuality, great attention is devoted to what the Vatican and its apparatuses consider the “right thing to do”. In this sense, children are merely seen as weak individuals in need of protection, and this protection should come from the family. Children are considered unable to decide how to behave in society, and their parents have the right to decide for them, which has enormous implications in the sphere of sexuality, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation.

This oral presentation provides an analysis of the material collected for the EU project “Colourful Childhoods. Empowering LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts to combat gender-based violence across Europe”, for which we were responsible for Italy. Alongside a quantitative survey dedicated to teenagers (aged 12 to 18), most of the data collected are qualitative, coming from interviews with professionals that work with children (psychologists, endocrinologists, training counsellors, educators, social workers, and LGBTIQ+ ONG national and local volunteers); focus groups with adolescents; a workshop and a series of events with children; an evaluation of services dedicated to LGBTIQ+ children and minors; and a training module and a series of events for professionals, in particular dedicated to social workers.

These data clearly show the needs of young LGBTIQ+ people for recognition within the family, at school, and in access to social services. Unfortunately, gender-based violence, sexual orientation, and gender diversity lack intervention from the State and other public actors. Moreover, young LGBTIQ+ have no space for confrontation where they can communicate and define themselves.