An ex-minister came out as gay on an
Italian TV show on Sunday saying that those in the public eye
had an extra responsibility to defend gay rights.
Vincenzo Spadafora, a 5-Star Movement (M5S) MP and former
minister for youth policy, said on Che Tempo Che Fa on Rai3 that
"I think those with a public role, a political role, have some
more responsibility".
He said he had been prompted to come out by two reasons.
"One is to bear witness to my political commitment, and the
other is being deeply Catholic," he said.
Spadafora said the political world was no stranger to gay slurs.
"In politics homosexuality is used to wound and undermine
people, with whispering campaigns that I wanted to snuff out.
"Now, perhaps, I'll be happier because I will feel freer".
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