A trans activist and Torino Pride volunteer has been slapped in the face by a group of teenagers in central Turin after being targeted for their rainbow backpack. The incident, which occurred near the Cinema Massimo late on Saturday evening, has prompted swift condemnation from the city’s mayor, the President of the Piedmont Region, and the director of the Lovers Film Festival.

The volunteer — an activist, Torino Pride volunteer and juror at the 41st Lovers Film Festival was leaving the festival when the attack occurred. A group of teenagers approached them near the Cinema Massimo, hurling homophobic abuse and striking them in the face, having apparently singled out their rainbow backpack.

“I was leaving,” the volunteer recounted, “and a small group of kids, mostly teenagers, started shouting homophobic remarks. It was because of my rainbow backpack. One of them, particularly excited and pleased, approached me and, yelling, slapped me in the face. It all happened in five seconds. I didn’t react to the physical attack. His friends stopped him, understanding, I hope, the violence of the gesture. I’m fine, but I’m upset. It shows that, unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do!”

Torino Pride announced the incident on its social media channels.

City and Region unite in condemnation

Turin’s mayor, Stefano Lo Russo, was swift to respond, expressing the city’s solidarity and support for the volunteer and stating that incidents of this kind have no place in Turin. “We wish to express,” he said, “the City of Turin’s solidarity and support for the Torino Pride volunteer who was the victim of a homophobic attack. Incidents like these are unacceptable and must have no place in our city, which works hard to respect and protect rights.”

The President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, also firmly condemned the attack. “Piedmont is a land of respect and rights,” he said, noting that the Region has established a dedicated fund to provide legal assistance to victims of discrimination and violence.

No law against homophobia

Vladimir Luxuria did not mince his words. “There is no law against homophobia, and a juror at the festival I direct has paid the price for that absence.” They added that political indifference to serious incidents of discrimination and intimidation represents a grave failing. For Enzo Ghigo and Carlo Chatrian, president and director respectively of Turin’s National Cinema Museum, it is unacceptable that such things are still happening in 2026 in a city like Turin, which has long prided itself on its commitment to the rights of all.

The Lovers Film Festival, the oldest LGBT-themed film festival in Europe and the third oldest in the world, continues in Turin until 21st April.