Two rulings in favour of trans people. And spring is on the way.
Italy
Italy is a bit behind other EU nations in its trans rights. However, A court in Avezzano, Central Italy, has accepted that a young petitioner may change the name and sex marking on his birth certificate without the need for medical transition such as hormone therapy. The non-binary person, who has requested anonymity following online abuse, seems to be the first to be acknowledged in this way. Until now it was expected that a person would transition via the medical route before their gender was accepted and documents altered.
This is good news and marks a step closer to gender self-declaration in Italy. However, this is a local court and there could be contradictory rulings elsewhere in future that would require an overarching ruling or guidance from a higher court.
UN Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, an agency of the United Nations that aims to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law, has voted decisively to call on its 46 member states to ban conversion therapy against LGBTQ+ people. Some countries have already banned the practice but Italy and the UK have yet to do so.
Spring
The great Roman writer Varro stated in his manual on agriculture that spring in the Mediterranean begins on February 7th*. Which was last Saturday. It wasn't actually the nicest of days as we still had the tail end of the lousy weather system that's been drenching much of Western Europe for some weeks. Nevertheless, I went to Nice for the Saturday markets. When there's a leaden sky over the French riviera, the water inshore takes on the most unusual glowing pale turquoise colour. None of my photo devices can do it justice but this gives a bit of an idea.
The Saturday book market in the square in front of the courthouse sells not just old books but also records, posters, paintings and similar. I loved both Tintin and Star Wars as a child and I couldn't resist this mock Tintin book cover!
Additionally, Luggy the LGBT Crab, who often accompanies me on my travels, has a new companion, a blue lobster.
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(Incidentally, readers insisted that I name the bat corkscrew I got for Christmas. I've decided on Ozzy, for reasons that should be ozvious. And that's the first and last time I name any of my kitchen utensils!)
It's now decidedly warmer and sunnier and I have got an itch to do some spring cleaning and gardening this week. I've set to it with a will with my rubber gloves and apron on!
More curious local culture
Last week I mentioned the Codfish Race in Cantalupo. This coming Saturday is the "Belli e Brutti" (Handsome and Ugly) Carneval in the village of Suvero where people dress either in colourful outfits with bells and ribbons or in dark, shaggy costumes with blackened faces and horns. They knock on doors and, whilst the man of the house prepares refreshments for the, er, guests, the Belli dance with the womenfolk as the Brutti stand by and make sarcastic remarks. No one has any idea how old this festival is but a pagan origin seems highly likely. Do the Belli and Brutti symbolise good and evil, or spring and winter, or something else? No-one knows. Apparently, the costumes are often handed down from generation to generation. Maybe the Belli outfits gave Boy George some of his inspiration?
Enjoy the Winter Olympics if you're watching. 16 different effortful ways to slide around in the cold! It makes me want a holiday in the tropics!
* Marcus Terentius Varro, De Re Rustica, Book I, chapter 28. I give this reference so you know it's not an internet or AI or conspiracy nut 'fact'.
Sue xx
Hello Sue, that are good news for the community with so much diversification. The new lobster is a very good companion to your crab....and they seem to love each other :-). Spring in february? Not here....and the pic does not seem inviting to go swimming :-). Yes, I do watch some of the Winter Olympic competitions...mostly the alpine disciplines. Have a good time and all the best
ReplyDeleteVioletta
Thank you, Violetta. I think in Europe we are now beginning to react against the horrible governments there are in Moscow, Washington, London, Budapest and so on. Because those governments hate trans people, I think that democratic governments may make a point of helping us as a contrast.
DeleteThere are a lot of soft toys designed as sea creatures here. Well, we are by the sea. But I'd never seen such things before and they make me laugh. I can't believe a small child would like to be given a crab or a lobster rather that a furry bear or rabbit so it's doubly funny. They're good quality, too, and fit in my handbag. It's fun to photograph them, especially outdoors. And they have such funny expressions. Maybe I have a strange sense of humour!
You may not believe it, but there was a man swimming in the sea that day. Please enjoy the Olympics. I don't have so much interest in sports but I am happy for those who do.
Sue xx
Hi Sue, the Niscemi landslide finally made it in the UK papers ... they're far too busy repeating the 100 or so flood warnings here (without indicating where they might actually be ... so useless for travellers). I liked the bit about the Italian court case. I'm in a curious position - my dual nationality would allow me to change legal gender in Ireland by simple declaration, so I could use my Irish passport as a woman while retaining my male status for my UK passport. I can imagine lawyers in the UK having a feast day with that!
ReplyDeleteI do hope that as societies moves on from the woke wars, people will start using that rarest of rare things - common sense - but I fear we have to await either the voting out of the current POTUS or his sectioning, but at least the flame of progress is kept alight in Europe.
And, I'm sure, lobsters of the world will be saluting you!!! Nikki xxx
Oops, I meant field day, not feast day ... I've been engaging with religion too much recently!
DeleteI think lawyers have plenty of feast days, Nikki! What with the fees they charge.
DeleteAs I said to Violetta above, I think that as Europe re-realises that democracy is better that autocracy, there will be a reaction against the transphobic governments outside the EU and this should benefit trans people in the long run.
I'm delighted to hear of the Irish situation - the Republic has come a very long way in the last few decades. Maybe it'd be fun to be male in one country and female in another. I'm in a sort of unwanted non-binary limbo at the moment but if self-declaration becomes possible here, I'd be tempted to try that.
Sue xx
Sue,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful update filled with both hope and intrigue! The two rulings in favour of trans rights are such important steps, especially in places like Italy where progress can feel slow at times. The ruling in Avezzano is significant for trans and non-binary individuals, and the potential for gender self-declaration in Italy feels like a real breakthrough. Fingers crossed that it will spark more change, though I agree, it will need consistent guidance from higher courts to ensure its implementation nationwide.
The UN’s call to ban conversion therapy is also huge news. It’s disheartening that countries like Italy and the UK are still lagging behind, but the growing international support is encouraging. Every step forward is a win, and I’m hopeful this will lead to stronger protections for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
On a lighter note, your description of the Mediterranean spring and the markets in Nice brings such a vivid image to mind. The glowing turquoise waters sound so magical, even if your photos can’t fully capture it, I can almost picture it. And your Tintin book cover discovery? Pure nostalgia! I was a big fan as a kid too.
I also love the image of Luggy the LGBT Crab and the new blue lobster, what a fun addition to your adventures! I think Ozzy the bat corkscrew is a brilliant choice too, clever and quirky, just like the spirit of your travels.
The "Belli e Brutti" Carneval sounds like an absolute riot! I love that it blends history, mystery, and a bit of humour. The Belli outfits certainly do seem to have a Boy George vibe, who knew that ancient traditions might have influenced pop culture?
Thank you for always sharing such rich details about your life and travels.
Lotte x
Take care,
Thanks, Lotte. I always try to report on the positive and the amusing even when there are troubles so I'm glad you found this post interesting and entertaining. Variety, they say, is the space of life. Sue xx
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