One million march at Rome Pride as Israel-Palestine rift and spray attacks fracture the parade

The parade

An estimated one million people filled the streets of Rome on 20 June for the annual Pride march, stretching from Piazza della Repubblica to the Terme di Caracalla. More than 30 floats and a broad coalition of political figures joined the procession, which organisers framed as a defence of constitutional values on the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic. Rosario Coco, president of Gaynet, told the crowd the event was “the largest street demonstration in Italy” and accused both the right and a timid centre-left of holding back equality.

“The Pride confirms itself as the largest street demonstration in Italy and today interrogates both the politics that builds consensus on ignorance and the fake progressive politics that has done little or nothing in the last 10 years.”

The Israel-Palestine split

Weeks of friction over the Middle East boiled over at the event. The organisers had initially barred the Jewish LGBTQ+ association Keshet Italia because it refused to sign a document condemning the “genocide in Gaza”. After mediation by Rome’s city hall, Keshet was permitted to join the parade two hours after its start, marching without a float in a secured section. Its members unfurled a rainbow flag with a Star of David and the slogan “out with antisemitism from all Prides”, yet were met with whistles and chants of “out with Zionists from the march”.

“We obtained the right to march in a safe section, without a float.”

Meanwhile, floats displayed upside-down effigies of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu, J.K. Rowling, and Giulia Bongiorno, alongside banners reading “f*** Zionism” and Palestinian flags. The climate underscored a divide that was already visible when the conservative gay-rights advocate Francesca Pascale was excluded by the organisers because of her centre-right affiliation.

“I find it absurd that this Pride started with an organisation that excluded rather than included. Unfortunately the organisations have always been left-wing, so since I took a political stance on civil rights from the right, I am discriminated against.”

Adinolfi and Pascale expelled

The most acute confrontation erupted before the march began when Mario Adinolfi (some outlets report Massimo Adinolfi), leader of the ultraconservative Popolo della Famiglia, arrived at Piazza della Repubblica waving an Israeli flag. He was quickly surrounded by protesters who shouted “Go away!”, “Criminal!”, and “Delinquent!”. Police intervened to escort him away from the parade, restoring the flag after it was grabbed.

“They jostled me, beat me, and pulled me by the jacket. They blocked me from walking and walked me out of the procession because I was considered unwelcome, so much for the inclusive march.”

Adinolfi fired back at the crowd: “They’re rainbow fascists.” Fabrizio Marrazzo, spokesman for the Gay Party, countered that Adinolfi had a long record of anti-LGBTQ+ statements and came solely to provoke, while activists said they cooperated with police to remove him. Moments later, Pascale appeared with a Gay Conservatives and Liberals banner and was also escorted away.

“This square does not contain the families that politics should answer to. We need civil rights and for the right to take care of them just as much as the left. We are here risking our lives; our right to be here is everyone’s right, no one excluded.”

Spray attacks on Gender X

Away from the political scuffles, the float of the Gender X association was targeted twice with pepper spray, the first time before the departure in Piazza della Repubblica and the second several hours later near the Colosseum. No one was seriously injured, but activists described the attack as frightening and shameful. Police received formal complaints.

Political voices

Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri marched in the front row with the tricolour sash. He called the country’s legislation backward and demanded faster progress on equal rights. Laura Boldrini, a Democratic Party MP and chair of the Chamber’s Human Rights Committee, said that until rights are identical they remain privileges, while Nicola Fratoianni emphasised that Italian society is far ahead of its political class on LGBTQ+ issues.