"Gay Pride" and the Jubilee.

Rome--Further developments in the case of the World Gay Pride 2000 week scheduled for early July in Rome (see 'Pro "gay" Prime Minister resigns, Catholic Insight, June'00, p.25) have resulted in civic leaders withdrawing sponsorship and part of the funding for the event. Mayor Francesco Rutelli, whose office criticized festival organizers for lack of co-operation in coordinating their events in an orderly way with other city functions, stated that the festival could still proceed but the city council would be selective on which events to subsidize. One festival item which caused particular concern to Rutelli's council was a projected "gay" fashion show next to a Catholic Church.

The Vatican has long protested the festival as being particularly inappropriate during the celebration of the Catholic Church's Holy Year. Until now, the Holy See's position has been subjected to a policy of disregard, except by the National Alliance Party. However, following Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema's defeat in the April local elections, leftist political parties seem to have redefined their positions. Their poor scores in Italian elections so far this year have undoubtedly contributed to this moderation. (Toronto Star, May 30)

Readers may be interested to learn that one of the early supporters of World Gay Pride 2000 is U.S. Democratic presidential candidate, Al Gore. The International Director is the American Deboreh Oakley-Malvin, a veteran organizer of San Francisco "Gay Pride" days.

A survey carried out by Datamedia for television channel Reteqequattro, reveals that 63% of the 1,000 people interviewed said they oppose the World Day, while only 18.9% of Italians support the demonstration.