Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Giovanni in Laterano 12; 9am-2am; Colosseo) . There is also a popular gay beach, Settimo Cielo, outside Rome
at Capocotta, accessible via bus 61 from Ostia Lido or bus 70 from EUR.
In terms of gay rights, Italy is a late bloomer. Homo- sexuality is legal (over the age of 16) and even widely accepted,
but it is publicly frowned on by the government, whose views largely coincide with the Vatican's. And with the Catholic
hierarchy decidedly against same-sex marriages and rights for common-law couples, both straight and gay, changes to
the statute books are unlikely any time soon.
The main gay cultural and political organisation is the
Circolo Mario Mieli di Cultura Omosessuale
( 800
110611;
www.mariomieli.org
;
Via Efeso 2a) , which organises debates, cultural events and social functions, including
Muccassassina
(
www.muccassassina.com
) club nights and the city's annual Gay Pride march. Its website has info and
listings of forthcoming events.
The national organisation for lesbians is the
Coordinamento Lesbiche Italiano
(
www.clrbp.it
;
Via San Francesco di
Sales 1b) , which holds regular conferences and literary evenings. There is also a women-only hostel,
La Foresteria
Orsa Maggiore
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 06 689 37 53;
www.casainternazionaledelledonne.org
; Via San Francesco
di Sales 1a, 2nd fl; dm €26-42, s €55-75, d €110-150, without bathroom s €36-55, d €72-100, minimum 2-night stay;
; Piazza Trilussa) .
Another useful listings guide is the international gay guide
Spartacus
(
www.spartacusworld.com
); available in app
or book form. You can also go online at
www.gayrome.com
and
www.gayfriendlyitaly.com
.
The following might also be of help:
Arcigay Roma
( 06 6450 1102;
www.arcigayroma.it
; Via Nicola Zabaglia 14) The Roman branch of the national
Arcigay organisation. Offers counselling, phone lines and general information.
Arcilesbica
(
06 6450 1102;
www.arcilesbica.roma.it
;
Via Nicola Zabaglia 14) Organises social outings.
Zipper Travel Association
(
06 4436 2244;
www.zippertravel.it
; Via dei Gracchi 17) A specialist gay and lesbian
travel agency.
Internet Access
There are plenty of internet cafes to choose from, particularly clustered around Termini station. Most hotels have wi-fi
these days, though with signals of varying quality. There will usually be at least one fixed computer for guest use.
There are lots of wi-fi hotspots around the city, run by
Provincia di Roma
(
www.provincia.roma.it
),
Roma Wire-
less
(
www.romawireless.com
) and
Digit Roma
(
www.digitroma.it
), though to use any of these you will need to re-
gister online using an Italian mobile number. Once you've registered, you'll receive a call to check the line, and once
you've answered (you don't need to speak), you'll be able to log in and use a password.
An easier option (no need for a local mobile number) is to head to a cafe or bar offering free wi-fi. Places offering wi-
fi are indicated by the wi-fi icon
in this guide.
Legal Matters
The most likely reason for a brush with the law is to report a theft. If you do have something stolen and you want to
claim it on insurance, you must make a statement to the police, as insurance companies won't pay up without official
proof of a crime.
