Lega MP Rossano Sasso denounced a public project worth more than half a million euros in the township of Lucca. The stated aim is to “bring about a conversation on biological sex, perceived gender and deconstruction of stereotypes” to elementary school children, under the title “Chasing monstrous stereotypes and prejudices,” in collaboration with the NGO Woman to Be.
The project was to last three years and would have enjoyed a €600,000 budget. Lega is now collecting testimonials from parents to ascertain exactly what has been said to the children and how accountable the initiative has been to parents.
Incidentally, last September, the Italian parliament approved a law banning gender ideology in schools.
For context, Tuscany is one of the most left-of-center regions in Italy, and a historical stronghold of the Italian Communist Party. Indeed, right-wing parties have not won regional elections in Tuscany in over 50 years.
Daniele Scalea, founder of the think tank Machiavelli Centre, an organisation which has consistently denounced the ‘woke’ phenomenon, commented :
The Left keeps seizing every chance (and usually public funds) to push gender indoctrination on children. This confirms their strategic focus on brainwashing the youngest minds, sadly instilling wrong ideas and sexual confusion, with potentially tragic outcomes, as shown by suicide statistics among so-called “transgender” individuals. We must systematically block all these indoctrination programs and restore our children’s right to peace and clarity.
The controversy takes place mere days after the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a vocal opponent of gender ideology and DEI parameters. While USAID funding has not been scrutinised in the Italian Republic so far, pressure appears to be mounting for greater attention to the politicisation of the public school system in Italy.
