To transform every insult into a wish for love, to exorcise it. A couple of girlfriends, Erika Mattina from Monza, 23, and Martina Tammaro from Arona, 25, in August 2019 were heavily insulted after posting a photo of kissing. Then they founded a Facebook page, @leperledegliomofobi (today followed by 35 thousand people) and an Instagram (122 thousand followers) to report and denounce all hate messages received, as well as to help and raise awareness as many people as possible.
And, now, they have developed a clothing collection, born in response to homophobia, to the accusations they have continued to receive. Someone wrote to them: “It burns.” Well, on their t-shirt they wrote: «Yes, but of passion». To the insult “error of nature”, Erika and Martina reply: “404 not found”.
“Exactly a couple of weeks ago, we were again victims of attacks on social networks, where they advised us to” burn “and” kill ourselves “,” they explained. «Tired, we almost decided to leave social media, and give it to them, but, fortunately, we found a way to react. This. The idea prompted us to put on our chest what keyboard lions can’t tell us to our faces, a peaceful protest that turns every bad word into love. The goal is to transform aggression and malice into “pearls” using an ironic and positive interpretation ». Part of the proceeds will go to a non-profit association (not exclusively linked to the LGBTQ + cause) to help those who need help.
So they continued to insult you.
“Yes, recently we had made some direct and different fake profiles who wished us to burn, to die. A man who said if we reported him he would beat us (we reported him anyway). So we decided to disappear from social networks, then this project came to mind ».
Has nothing changed, therefore, in these two years?
“Homophobia is still to be fought and information is needed, but some steps have been taken. The fact that a law is being discussed signals that something is changing ».
Who is it that insults and threatens you?
“On Facebook older people, around 40-50 years old, on Instagram many fake profiles, so it is difficult to understand how old they are”.
Are they more men or more women?
«More or less on par: men mainly bring up the sexual sphere, while women are more naughty. They tell us that we are against nature, exhibitionists, that we take action only to show ourselves off, that God will punish us, that it is not even true that we are together ».
Why do they do it? Did you give yourself an explanation?
“They probably take out their frustration on the first thing that comes their way. They are ignorant people. Ignorance is not a fault, but wanting to keep your eyes closed in front of reality is ».
You are a close-knit couple. What would you recommend to someone who faces homophobia in solitude?
“We recommend that you talk to someone, be it a friend or a professional. And we always advise to report. We must not feel alone: this is a path of many, and strength can be found in others ».
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