The Pathologisation of Homosexuality in Fascist Italy

The Case of 'G'
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-3-030-00993-9
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 110 Seiten, Format (B × H): 153 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 283 g

Reihe: Genders and Sexualities in History

This open access book investigates the pathologisation of homosexuality during the fascist regime in Italy through an analysis of the case of G., a man with "homosexual tendencies" interned in the Collegno mental health hospital in 1928. No systematic study exists on the possibility that Fascism used internment in an asylum as a tool of repression for LGBT people, as an alternative to confinement on an island, prison or home arrests. This research offers evidence that in some cases it did.
The book highlights how the dictatorship operated in a low-key, shadowy and undetectable manner, bending pre-existing legislation. Its brutality was - and still is - difficult to prove. It also emphasises the ways in which existing stereotypes on homosexuality were reinforced by the regime propaganda in support of its so-called moralising campaign and how families, the police and the medical professionals joined forces in implementing this form of repression.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Romano, Gabriella

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies: Homosexualität, LGBTQ+

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction.- 2. “Dangerous to Themselves and Others, and of Public Scandal”: The Internment Procedure.- 3.“Psychic Degenerate”: Why G. Was Interned.- 4. “He and I”: G’.s Voice.- 5. "I'll have you sent to confino". How the fascist regime punished and repressed homosexuality.- 6. “House of Sorrow”: The Collegno Asylum in 1928–1931.- 7. “My Untamed, Alone, Naked Will”: Freedom.- 8. Conclusions.

Über Autor(innen)

Gabriella Romano is an independent scholar from Italy. She received Wellcome funding for her MRes at Birkbeck, University of London, UK, and was awarded full Wellcome funding for her PhD. Previous publications include I Sapori della Seduzione (2006) and Il mio nome è Lucy (2009).