CATEGORIES: PO
“Homosexuality in the land of mafia has always been a taboo. In the common narratives of Mafia families, homosexuals are considered to be anti-Mafia and even unreliable because they do not have a certain and fixed identity. They are not like ‘real men’, because being gay or having a homosexual relative are undesirable according homophonic Mafia culture. It would be considered to be a shame, something so disgraceful to hide that a murder of a homosexual relative would be acceptable. ”
However, by scratching the surface of these narratives, we could see that the reality is much different. In the most famous and respected Mafia families and, broadly, in the Neapolitan criminal underworld, homosexuals play a crucial role, even by holding important positions of responsibility. Katia (43 years old) is one of them. She is now out of the Mafia, she could have become a ‘boss’: ‘If there are transgender bosses, I could have been one of them”, Katia said, holding a mascara. ‘I was in prison for seven years. The first time was because of robbery, then for shooting a friend. I have known many transsexuals who have been arrested because of their connections with the Camorra. Others hided weapons at home. In the Camorra as a transsexual, you could climb up to the top, if you are considered to be reliable. I have many friends in the ‘System’ and I was offered to cover many important roles. I have always declined because I want to have a quiet life. However, I do not always succeed. Last December, my Maroccan ex stabbed me”. ( quoted from an interview by Tamara Ferrari, Vanity Fair Italy).
