LUCCA. Walking among the rides and attractions of the amusement park in these weeks in Lucca, Giulio (the name is fictional) comes across a game. A classic one, one of those that require a test of strength. It is called “El Toro” and you have to “bend” the protruding horns. Giulio looks closer: among the score indicators, here – among others – are the terms “gay” and “miss” associated with the lowest levels of physical vigor.
In fact, they are «explicitly used as synonyms for weakness and failure». A «stereotyped narrative» that is not liked. The young man takes a photo, reports it to the Coming Out aps association of Pistoia which, in turn, sent it to the city councilor, head of the Avs group, Daniele Bianucci.
Bianucci: «Stereotyped and dangerous narrative»
The negative judgment is unanimous. Bianucci first downplays it: «It wasn’t funny even in the seventies». Then he explains: «It feeds a dangerous imaginary. I don’t want to turn it into ideology, but it belongs to the most backward patriarchy. For those who think it’s a joke, do we really need it today or maybe it’s better to think differently? In this narrative, I see nothing good. After what happened in Florence, the killing of a woman, Lorena Isceri, we still find narratives of this kind».
The purpose of the report, Bianucci emphasizes, «is in no way meant to be repressive or censorious. Our attitude is proactive. Many times people don’t think about it. I would like it to be an opportunity to reflect on it, a growth for everyone with the aim of presenting less stereotyped and much more respectful images». Well, «it wouldn’t hurt to think about it more». And he specifies: «We are not asking to close the ride, just to reflect on it».
Coming Out: «Stereotypes can cause damage»
The same thinks Jonathan Lucchesi, president of the Coming Out association, the one to which the report was sent yesterday morning. As soon as he saw the photo coming from Lucca «we immediately contacted the councilor (Bianucci, ed) because it seemed right to understand how to act: clearly – Lucchesi emphasizes – there is no law that protects against this, but the goal is to make people understand that it is indoctrination that leads to thinking that a gay man is worth less even in terms of physical strength; therefore, a child who grows up with this stereotype risks becoming a bully or, if homosexual, may have difficulty accepting himself».
«We condemn the stereotype and try to raise awareness to change this narrative». Especially given the place, the amusement park present in the city for the Lucca September and, Lucchesi emphasizes, «visited by many young people. They are offered a patriarchal and disrespectful narrative, which gives a negative value judgment. We make it clear that this is not the real narrative and above all that these strength games stop using stereotypes that can cause psychological damage».
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The amusement park manager: «We will do something to change it»
«We will take care of it», Alberto Salvatore De Luca, manager of the Lucca amusement park, replies to Tirreno. «If this bothers someone, I will talk to the colleague who owns the ride and we will see about doing something to change it, maybe putting a sticker». Anyway, a solution will be found.
The ride, De Luca points out, «is very old. Then it will be a writing of 2 centimeters by 3. I have never looked at it in detail, we focused more on safety, electrical systems, functionality. At this moment we have given maximum attention to the safety of the customer who comes to the amusement park, also relying on a steward company».
For De Luca, while promising to take care of it, it is «like looking for a needle in a haystack. Let’s rather look at the beauty of the amusement park». Which, he assures, is going «quite well. Now the crucial days will come», with the celebration of the Holy Cross.
The solution: a sticker covers the writings
In the end, the solution arrived yesterday afternoon, right after the report, in the form of a black sticker placed by the owner of the attraction hosted by the amusement park. It covers the words gay and miss.
Not only that: “cornuto” was also removed, because it was considered equally part of an offensive narrative, although not directly reported by the associations.
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