Rome, 15 May (LaPresse) – "The situation is getting worse. Italy has slipped further down the rankings to 36th out of 49, and we must not accept this. We must not accept it also because we know that when there are no laws recognising these rights, discrimination and violence are more widespread.‘ So said PD Secretary Elly Schlein, speaking at the conference “Towards 17 May – International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia” currently taking place at the Frentani Conference Centre in Rome. ’Laws also shape culture. Now, the Arcigay report mentions 127 incidents of discrimination and assault over the last 12 months. Because it is clear that when a certain discourse, a certain rhetoric, is in power, it risks creating an environment in which those who wish to attack feel justified. It is something we have seen in many European countries, unfortunately. So, faced with this, we must have a very clear idea of what lies ahead in the coming months. We want to bring Italy into line with Europe; in many countries, significant progress has already been made,‘ he added, citing ’the Spanish model".