Italian activist Vincenzo Francone drew attention to gay rights in the Soviet Union
In 1980, global attention turned to the Soviet Union as the Moscow Summer Olympics got underway. It was the first time the Olympic Games had been held in an Eastern Bloc country. Taking place at the height of the Cold War and following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the event was marked by widespread international controversy.
Led by the United States, 66 countries completely boycotted the Games, while several others competed under the Olympic flag rather than their national flags.
Seeking to draw attention to Soviet laws that criminalised homosexuality, Italian gay rights activist Vincenzo “Enzo” Francone staged a protest in Moscow’s Red Square.
Francone reportedly intended to handcuff himself to the fence surrounding the Kremlin. However, security personnel intercepted him before he could reach the location, and he instead attached himself to a barrier in Red Square.
According to contemporary media reports, Francone was seized by authorities and thrown to the ground. He was later reportedly seen in a security office where he was assaulted. International photographers attempting to document the incident were also caught up in the ensuing confrontation. Authorities allegedly detained some journalists, confiscated equipment and removed film from cameras.
Shortly afterwards, Francone was deported from the Soviet Union.
Enzo Francone was one of the founders of Fuori!, recognised as Italy’s first gay rights organisation. He was also a founding member of the International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA).
Francone died on 29 November 2009 at the age of 62 following a battle with lung cancer.
