Very often gender identity-related discrimination is a direct result of gender affirmation, and it is because of their gender identity that the person is treated differently than others, i.e., is subject to discrimination.
Presently, in Italy, there is still no law punishing hate crimes motivated by the victim’s gender identity. However, if a transgender person is assaulted, insulted, beaten because of their gender identity, they can immediately turn to the Police, who will still receive a basic crime report. No specific aggravating circumstance is applied to crimes motivated by hatred or intolerance towards LGBT+ people; nonetheless, a generic aggravating circumstance may be applied.
The lack of a law explicitly punishing homosexual/bisexual/transphobic violence should not lead us to think that violence and aggression cannot be reported. On the contrary, it is precisely through reports and complaints that transphobia will be eventually quantified as a serious phenomenon.
Bullying in schools or among transgender minors is also a growing behavior that requires urgent action by the Lawmakers. If you are being bullied, it is advisable to:
Please note that you can contact, even anonymously, the National Office Against Discrimination (UNAR) at www.unar.it to report any instance of discrimination, harassment or bullying you feel you have been a victim of.
“Discrimination based on gender identity” is defined as any act, fact, behavior or omission that occurs when, because of your gender identity, you are treated less favorably than another person is, has been or would be in a similar situation. In practice, you are discriminated against when you are treated unequally because of your gender identity, for example, when you are denied access to certain benefits that are available to other members of society. Harassment is also a form of discrimination. Harassment can take on various forms: comments, sarcastic jokes, insults, behaviors, or display of illustrations that insult the individual because of their gender identity.
If, in light of the above, you believe you are a victim of discrimination, you can contact:
If, on the other hand, you are the victim of crimes related to your gender identity (insults, physical or verbal assaults, harassment) you can turn to: