Arcigay (Italian: Associazione lesbica e gay italiana) is Italy's first and largest national gay organization.[1][2]
The association was first founded as a local association in Palermo in 1980, then nationally established in Bologna in 1985.[1]. The organisation became known throughout Italy for its campaign for civil unions. The President of Arcigay is Paolo Patanè[3]; its honorary president, who helped found the organization, is Franco Grillini.
Arcigay has often protested against Vatican opposition to homosexuality and LGBT rights.[2]
For some reason, many Italian gay venues require their patrons, native or foreign, to purchase Arcigay membership, in addition to the admission cost, even for people just visiting the country for a short time.