Transsexual job training sparks row
By Bruce Johnston in Rome
TRANSSEXUALS are being offered training as museum staff by the city of Bologna with the Italian government’s blessing, but to the dismay of local clergy.
Marcella Di Folco, head of Italy’s Transsexual Identity Movement (MIT) hailed the course, funded by the European Union, as a “futuristic project”. He said it would “restore dignity and rights to people who have them only as words”.
The intention is to give transsexuals, who are synonymous with prostitution in Italy, other chances of employment. Later, there will be courses for immigrant women, gypsy women, battered women and lesbians. Laura Balbo, Italy’s Minister for Equal Opportunities said: “Finally the approach to equal opportunities is being widened to include other walks of life.”
But Padre Oreste Benzi, a priest who works with the disadvantaged, called it an absurd initiative that “stank of demagogy”. He said: “A course like this, which is not for everyone but is reserved for 16 ’lucky’ ones, risks being a boomerang. Instead of integrating them, it will create discrimination. Transsexuals instead should be considered normal citizens.”
31 July 1998: Transsexuals lose Euro court fight
10 May 1998: Israeli transsexual wins Eurovision Song Contest
| 
