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(Rome) Leftist Prime Minister-designate
Romano Prodi's narrow victory in this week's Italian election was accomplished
in part by the victories of five LGBT candidates.
Among them was Vladimir Luxuria (pictured),
believed to be the first transsexual elected to a European parliament.
"I'm going to be the first transgender to
get into a parliament in Europe," she said when she filed her candidacy
papers in Rome earlier this year.
"It's a way to say to people: don't judge me
by the way I look, don't judge me by my sexual orientation. Please, judge me by
my ideas."
Luxuria ran under the Communist party banner in
Rome in a district not far from the Vatican.
Her victory was not unexpected. Luxuria is a
popular fixture in Rome's LGBT community. She is a cabaret performer and
in 1994 organized the county's first gay pride march.
“We are happy to see a transgender person being elected as Italian
parliamentarian. This is a very important victory not just for Italy, but for all
Europe," said
Riccardo Gottardi, Co-Chair of the International Lesbian and Gay Association -
Europe Board.
"This is also a sign that the European electorate is becoming more open minded
and embracing the diversity of human kind.
As 365Gay.com reported Tuesday returns released
by the Interior Ministry gave Prodi's coalition a slim majority in both houses
of parliament. Silvio Berlusconi, though, has refused to concede defeat and
challenged Prodi's victory claim, demanding a recount. (story)
Berlusconi said he would concede only after Prodi
is confirmed the winner after all the checks are carried out on the voting,
which he says was marred by "irregularities."
Prodi told reporters on Wednesday that even
though the margin of victory in both houses was razor-thin, "I do not fear
a reversal of the results."
But his majority is so slim it may it difficult
for him to get legislation through Parliament.
Among the bills seen as having problems gaining
approval are three that would affect LGBT Italians - recognition of same-sex
couples, expanded hate crimes legislation to include sexuality, and improved
gender reassignment legislation.
"We hope the newly elected Italian politicians will
fulfill their pre-election
promises and will introduce Italy into a family of European nations legally recognizing
same-sex families as well
as introduce further legislation to guarantee equal rights for LGBT people,”
said Gottardi
Prodi has been a supporter of moderate rights for
same-sex couples since last July when he met with gay activists, but he opposes
gay marriage. (story)
His planned bill would legalize civil
partnerships, similar to those in Britain and other parts of the European Union.
He also has voiced his support for revamping hate
crimes and reassignment surgery.
©365Gay.com 2006
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