# Movimento Identità Trans

Movimento Identità Trans (MIT) is an Italian advocacy organization that promotes the rights and welfare of transgender individuals. Founded in Bologna in 1979, MIT is the oldest transgender rights group in Italy and among the first in the world, and has been at the forefront of the trans rights movement in Italy and in Europe, offering legal, medical, and social support for the transgender community.

## History and legal milestones

MIT was originally established in 1979 as a response to the lack of support and recognition for transgender individuals in Italy. The organization became one of the first in the country to focus on the specific needs of the transgender community, addressing issues such as access to healthcare, legal recognition, and discrimination.
Under the leadership of key figures like Marcella Di Folco and later Porpora Marcasciano, MIT has played an instrumental role in advancing trans rights in Italy. Marcella Di Folco, a prominent transgender actress and activist, served as the president of MIT from the late 1990s until her death in 2010. Porpora Marcasciano, a renowned activist and author, succeeded Di Folco and served as president from 2010-2016.

### Founding
#### Birth of MIT (1982)

In the late morning of April 14, 1982, after days of protests and sit-ins in front of the Italian Parliament, a representative from the Radical Party announced the approval of Law 164. This law was the first legal recognition in Italy of gender change. Hundreds of transgender people gathered, with tension during protests leading to threats of them undressing in public. The birth of the Movimento Identità Trans was rooted in these struggles. It was a response to the complete lack of recognition transgender people faced. Before Law 164, changing one's sex, especially if done abroad, was illegal in Italy and exposed individuals to police control, imprisonment, and other forms of persecution.

#### 30-year struggle for gender identity rights

Law 164 was a significant step, but it was just the beginning. The 1985 Constitutional Court ruling (Sentenza 161/85) formally recognized the right to gender identity as an inviolable human right. However, despite this, the community continued to face challenges regarding work, health, and legal recognition. The MIT's long-term goal was to secure full citizenship rights, which included formal recognition of gender identity, access to social protection services, and equal treatment in employment and healthcare.

### Healthcare access
#### Healthcare challenges

According to the 2007 Transgender EuroStudy, transgender people in Europe, including Italy, face systemic discrimination and inequality when seeking healthcare. This is particularly severe in regions where specialized healthcare centers for transgender people are lacking. MIT played a crucial role in establishing consultative centers and advocating for the right to a safe and supportive environment during the transition process. Their work was essential in ensuring access to necessary healthcare, providing legal counseling, and creating safe spaces for those in need of housing or facing exploitation.

#### Proposals for future health services

MIT advocated for the formation of a permanent council to develop strategies for combating discrimination and to create specific training programs for healthcare workers who support transgender individuals through their gender reassignment surgeries.

### Employment and economic inclusion
#### Employment discrimination

A key focus of MIT's work was addressing the severe discrimination transgender people faced in the labor market. A 2007 study, "Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transexual People’s Experiences of Inequalities and Discrimination," revealed that only 31% of trans people had full-time employment. The situation in Italy, as reported by Arcigay in 2011, confirmed widespread exclusion, wrongful dismissals, and workplace harassment of transgender individuals. MIT emphasized the need for European-level legislation protecting gender identity as a factor for discrimination, alongside raising awareness through workplace campaigns to reduce prejudice. Informative campaigns for employers and the creation of diversity management protocols were seen as crucial for fostering a more inclusive work environment.

### Transphobia and hate crimes
#### Transphobic violence and hate Crimes

The widespread fear and prejudice against transgender people, termed transphobia, were often the root cause of violence and hate crimes. Studies, such as the Trans EuroStudy, found that 79% of transgender people had experienced verbal or physical assaults motivated by hate. MIT strongly advocated for the introduction of hate crime laws that specifically targeted transphobic violence. In collaboration with international organizations, they pushed for legislative reform and called for scientific research to better understand and address discrimination against transgender individuals.

#### Stigma and public perception

One of the primary issues MIT tackled was the societal stigma that linked transgender people with prostitution, further fueling the prejudice and isolation they faced. To counter this, MIT called for a national campaign to combat transphobia, with the goal of representing transgender people in a way that avoided stereotypes and sensationalism.

## Mission

MIT's mission is to promote and protect the rights of transgender individuals through advocacy, education, and direct services. The organization operates primarily out of Bologna but works across Italy, offering resources and support to trans people, their families, and allies.
MIT provides a range of services, including:
* Legal support and advice on name and gender changes
* Access to healthcare, including hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries
* Social and psychological support for transgender individuals and their families
* Advocacy for legislative reforms at the national level

### Activities

MIT has been involved in numerous campaigns and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of transgender individuals in Italy. Some of their key activities include:
* Organizing Pride events and public demonstrations to raise awareness of trans issues
* Offering training and educational programs for healthcare professionals, educators, and public institutions
* Collaborating with other LGBTQ+ organizations to promote intersectional advocacy
* Providing resources and support for trans migrants and refugees
In 2012, MIT co-organized the first-ever Italian transgender pride in Bologna, which was a significant milestone in the visibility of the trans community in Italy. The organization has continued to lead advocacy efforts for greater legal recognition and access to healthcare for transgender individuals.

### Looking ahead
#### Legislative gaps

Despite early successes, MIT continued to face challenges regarding the full implementation of legal protections for transgender people, particularly those who did not undergo full surgical transition. The lack of specific references to gender identity in Italian and international treaties on discrimination continued to create barriers to equality.

#### Future goals

MIT sought to ensure that legislative advances were accompanied by cultural and social changes. They advocated for comprehensive research on the experiences of transgender individuals in accessing healthcare and employment and for the introduction of comprehensive anti-transphobia laws.

## Leadership

MIT has been led by a number of prominent transgender activists, most notably Marcella Di Folco and Porpora Marcasciano. Both women have left an indelible mark on the Italian trans rights movement through their leadership of MIT and their broader activism.
* Marcella Di Folco was the president of MIT from the late 1990s until her passing in 2010. Di Folco, who had a background in acting, became a key figure in Italy's LGBT+ movement and served as a Bologna City Councilor.
* Porpora Marcasciano served as president from Di Folco's death in 2010, until 2016. A longtime trans activist and author, Marcasciano has been involved in trans rights advocacy since the late 1970s and continued to lead MIT's efforts for transgender rights in Italy.
* Nicole De Leo was elected president in 2016, remaining in the post until 2022
* Mazen Masoud is the current president, having been in the post since October 2022.

## International influence

MIT's work has drawn inspiration from and contributed to the international transgender rights movement. The organization has connections with other trans advocacy groups across Europe and has participated in global forums addressing trans issues.
MIT's activism is also informed by the work of pioneering trans activists like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, whose roles in the Stonewall riots and subsequent trans rights movements have had a lasting influence on trans activism worldwide.

## Legacy

MIT is widely regarded as one of Italy's most important LGBTQ+ organizations, particularly for its role in advancing transgender rights. Over the decades, it has contributed to significant legislative and social changes in Italy, including pushing for legal reforms and increased healthcare access for transgender individuals.
The organization continues to be a vital resource for transgender people across Italy, advocating for their rights while providing direct support for those in need.