"THE MADONNA OF THE HOMOSEXUALS"
IN MEMORY OF HOMOSEXUALS VICTIMS KILLED DURING THE NAZI REGIME
A Symbol of Struggle, Hope, and Resistance
The Madonna of the Homosexuals by Raffaele Ciotola is not simply a work of art: it is a declaration of war against homophobia, a claim for every person who has fought, suffered, and felt marginalized because of their sexuality. It is the sacred and profound icon that is not afraid to break taboos and challenge those who want to continue hiding the humanity of LGBTQ+ people behind prejudice and ignorance.
This painting is the response to those who have tried to erase the identity and dignity of those who love differently. It is the manifesto of a movement that has found in Raffaele Ciotola a courageous and clear voice. The Madonna of the Homosexuals is not like other Madonnas, and it should not be treated as such. It is solely a symbol of acceptance and justice for LGBTQ+ people, who now finally have a religious figure who does not exclude them, who loves them for who they are.
This Madonna does not come out of nowhere: it is the answer to a deep need for recognition and dignity, an act of faith and love towards those who have been cast out by churches, families, and society. An icon that cries out against the darkness of homophobia and the violence suffered by the LGBTQ+ community, not only in the past but still today, in every corner of the world.
The Madonna of the Homosexuals is a Madonna that speaks of suffering, but also of resistance and freedom. It is the work that celebrates the martyrs, the homosexual victims of Nazism, and the entire LGBTQ+ community that has suffered but has never been defeated. It is not a symbol that must please everyone, it is not meant for those who fear change, difference, or free love. It is for those who fight for a fairer and more humane world, for those who know that spirituality and unconditional love know no boundaries of gender or sexuality.
This is not a work of empty provocation, but a cry of truth, an artistic action that is not afraid to challenge conventions. It is a symbol that cannot be ignored, that cannot be reduced to a "game" or a mistake. The Madonna of the Homosexuals is an act of resistance against all forms of hatred, an open and unconditional embrace for every person who has carried the weight of rejection. It is the sign that the LGBTQ+ community has the right to be venerated and respected, with the same dignity as anyone else.
And it must not be questioned, nor overshadowed by old legends that do not speak of our reality, our struggle. The Madonna of the Homosexuals is ours, it is for us, and its mission is clear: to include, embrace, and free those who have been pushed to the margins. Its strength is our strength. Let us not allow it to be set aside. Its power is that of those who are no longer afraid to be themselves, to be seen, heard, and loved.
"The Madonna of the Homosexuals and the gesture of Jesus handing out the cords, each with the symbol of male and female gay couples," should not be seen as an attack on traditional religious representations, but as a call for a more inclusive dialogue, a profound reflection on spirituality and the rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identity.