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<\/p>\nHead of Italy\u2019s Anti-Discrimination Office Forced out in \u2018Gay Sex Club\u2019 Scandal Amid Right-Wing Opportunism<\/b><\/p>\n
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The head of Italy\u2019s anti-discrimination office UNAR, Francesco Spano,\u00a0resigned Monday following a television \u201cexpos\u00e9\u201d<\/a> that purported to uncover illicit activities at three LGBT cultural centers the agency had funded.<\/p>\n Dopo il servizio di Filippo Roma t.co\/lkR808pWCt<\/a> si \u00e8 dimesso il direttore dell\u2019UNAR Francesco Spano. pic.twitter.com\/eXM3XOJ4X5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Le Iene (@redazioneiene) February 21, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The National Office Against Racial Discrimination supports projects aiming toward combating discrimination of all sorts, including an LGBT refugee center in Bologna<\/a>. The satirical, politically-themed television show Le Iene, or The Hyenas, aired a segment in which its correspondents visited the centers and reportedly uncovered masseurs offering sexual services and \u201cdark rooms\u201d set aside for sexual activities. These \u201cgay<\/a> sex<\/a> clubs\u201d are said to have been financed by up to 55,000 euros from UNAR.<\/p>\n However, Spano disputed the latter point<\/a>, pointing out that his office finances specific projects rather than associations, and that the funds had been allocated and not yet distributed. He says he resigned in order to protect the good work the agency does:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI decided to resign not because I feel I am responsible for anything, as I consider what I have done over the last year to be correct, but out of respect for the office I had the honour of leading.\u201d<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s right-wing politicians seized upon the scandal<\/a> as an opportunity to shut down a government organ that promotes diversity and tolerance. Giorgia Meloni, who heads the national-conservative party Brothers of Italy and was a mayoral candidate for Rome last year, called for the immediate closure of UNAR, echoed similarly by the Northern League and Forza Italia.<\/p>\n The populist, anti-establishment Five-Star Movement was more measured, calling for clarification on the agency\u2019s funding priorities. The Democraticy Party-led government has said the office will remain open, although greater oversight may be warranted.<\/p>\n The post Head of Italy\u2019s Anti-Discrimination Office Forced out in \u2018Gay Sex Club\u2019 Scandal Amid Right-Wing Opportunism<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n