Do paradigms matter in LGBT+ policymaking? Understanding Italian policies within the European framework

Abstract

This paper explores the trajectory of LGBT+ policies in Italy, examining their evolution within the European framework of the anti-discrimination and equality paradigms. Focusing on three major Italian policy programs developed since 2013, it analyzes the interplay between European and national influences, the involvement of LGBT+ groups, and the impact of policy paradigms on LGBT+ policymaking and implementation. Grounded in a methodological posture oriented towards problem representations and ideationality, the findings indicate a coexistence between antidiscrimination and equality paradigms in Italy under external (European) and internal (LGBT+ and anti-LGBT+ groups) pressure. This research contributes to understanding the dynamics of policy change in the contentious field of gender and sexuality, offering insights into the role of policy paradigms in shaping LGBT+ policies in Italy.