In Rome, « Gay » Christmas Lights Sparkle over Via del Corso

Dec. 08 2013

by misterb&b

Christmas Lights on one of the busiest shopping streets in Rome, Via del Corso, were swiched on Friday. The huge colorful electric banner covers the street nearly over a mile and is much talk : Rome’s Mayor Rome is said to have chosen these colors to send a message against homophobia, after the suicide this year of a gay teenager in Rome.

One of Rome’s councilors believes that with these illuminations, " Rome wants to send a clear message: this is the capital of rights."

In the opposite side, to the right, this gesture is denounced by some who see it as a provocation.

To try to defuse controversy, the company behind the illuminations now indicates that they are ultimately a tribute to late Nelson Mandela...

It’s up to anyone to see what he wants to see here. Let’s just note that these lovely illuminations include 7 colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. But the true rainbow flag, the LGBT flag, does include only 6 colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet).