Piazzapulita: Efe Bal

Show: Piazzapulita (LA7)
Release Year: 2016

On January 28, 2016, Efe Bal, one of Italy's most prominent transgender activists, appeared on Piazzapulita, a weekly current affairs program hosted by Corrado Formigli. This broadcast, shown on the LA7 Italian TV channel, quickly became one of the most talked-about episodes of the season, as it was filled with sharp political commentary, personal reflections, and bold statements from Bal, who, as a transgender woman and sex worker, has experienced Italy's societal and legal challenges in a unique and intimate way. The episode, which addressed themes of family, LGBT rights, and the social and legal status of sex work in Italy, was a passionate and confrontational conversation. Throughout the interview, Efe Bal did not shy away from touching on sensitive issues, and her candidness about her life and her activism left a lasting impression. Below is a detailed rephrasing and analysis of the key moments from this interview, unpacking Bal’s views on the Family Day event, her work as a sex worker, and her struggles with Italian society.

 

The conversation began with Formigli welcoming Bal to the program, where he introduced her as possibly "the most famous trans in Italy." The host, known for his confrontational style, started with a provocative question: "I can say that you're a prostitute, right?" to which Bal responded affirmatively and without hesitation, "Yes, yes, of course, I am a prostitute." This blunt exchange set the tone for a discussion that would tackle both personal identity and broader societal issues head-on. Formigli quickly steered the conversation to the topic of "Family Day," a highly controversial event organized in Italy in 2016 by conservative groups opposing the recognition of same-sex civil unions. 

 

Formigli asked Bal for her thoughts on the event, to which Bal responded with sharp criticism. "It’s not a riot, so we can say fortunately," she remarked, before proceeding to describe the event as a form of "exploitation." Bal's assertion challenged the narrative surrounding Family Day, questioning what "family" truly meant in the eyes of those participating in the event. In an impassioned critique, Bal outlined her version of the family dynamic, which contrasted sharply with the traditional concept being promoted by Family Day supporters. She argued that "family" should not be confined to a mother, father, and children living together in idealized harmony. She described a family as "two people who go to work, go home with their children, who are happy, go to the sea, go on holiday," emphasizing love and unity over strict societal norms. She took aim at the hypocrisy of Family Day proponents, noting that many of them had complicated personal lives and were themselves embroiled in scandals, such as investigations or infidelity. Bal’s sharp critique extended to figures like Mr. Formigoni and Mr. Maroni, both of whom were prominent politicians at the time. 

 

The topic of hypocrisy was a recurring theme in Bal's remarks. She made a pointed observation about the personal lives of some politicians attending Family Day, suggesting that many of them had participated in extramarital affairs, visited sex workers, or engaged in financially questionable practices. In this context, Bal stated, "Family doesn’t mean that a father sometimes transgresses with some escort or with some trans," highlighting the discrepancies between public personas and private actions. Formigli pressed further, asking about the politicians who had been involved with Bal, and she responded with a confident and unapologetic declaration, stating, "They come with me, they come with many others." When Formigli continued to probe, asking whether politicians at Family Day had visited her, Bal responded with a sardonic comment about the nature of male behavior. She explained that politicians, like many men, might experiment or visit sex workers as a form of exploration, alluding to a universal male tendency, even if it was somewhat hypocritical in their public stances. In her view, politicians’ personal contradictions were evident in the way they presented themselves publicly as champions of "traditional" family values while secretly engaging in behaviors that contradicted those values.

 

At one point in the conversation, Formigli inquired why Bal had not been more involved in the activism surrounding gay rights, particularly the fight for civil unions. Bal’s response shed light on her approach to activism, which was not always aligned with the mainstream LGBT movement. She explained that she had never encountered significant discrimination in her day-to-day life and that she had always felt more alienated from other trans individuals than from society as a whole. While she was supportive of civil unions and gay rights, Bal pointed out that she had never been as active in such demonstrations or battles as others like Vladimir Luxuria, a well-known Italian trans activist. This distinction between her approach and that of other activists underscored Bal’s pragmatism and her belief that the primary goal for her, personally, was to live a normal life. She emphasized her desire for societal acceptance as an individual rather than focusing on being part of a particular group or movement. However, she clarified that she was fully supportive of the fight for civil unions, seeing it as a vital step forward for Italy in terms of both social progress and legal recognition for the LGBT community. 

 

A significant portion of the interview also focused on Bal’s ongoing legal and financial challenges, particularly with Italy’s tax agency, Equitalia. Bal openly discussed how she had been fined by the agency, revealing the financial pressures she had faced throughout her life as a sex worker. The fines were related to large sums of unaccounted money, leading to her explanation that, despite earning substantial amounts, she had struggled with the lack of legal recognition for her work. Bal’s statement was a call for legal reform, advocating for the legalization of prostitution in Italy, which would allow workers like her to pay taxes and gain access to the same social and legal rights as individuals in other professions. "Legalize prostitution, make it a job like any other," Bal urged. She further argued that if prostitution were legalized, it would allow her and others in her field to function within the formal economy, using credit cards and paying taxes like any other worker. Her bold proposal was not just about economic convenience; it was also a matter of dignity and rights for sex workers, allowing them to be treated as legitimate workers deserving of the same protections as anyone else. 

 

Towards the end of the interview, Formigli posed a more personal question: "Have you ever wished to have a son?" Bal’s response was thoughtful and revealing. While she acknowledged that some transgender individuals may wish to have children, Bal shared that, given her unique life experiences and the challenges she had faced, she didn’t feel suited to parenthood. She explained that her transgender identity and her life as a sex worker made her feel disconnected from the idea of having children, particularly because of the societal judgment and discomfort that she sometimes experienced from children who seemed to recognize her as "different." Nevertheless, Bal clarified that her stance was not an indictment of others’ desires for family life. She expressed hope that trans individuals who wanted to have children could one day do so, but for her personally, the experience was not one she had ever longed for. Her reflection on the question of parenthood highlighted the complexities of identity, societal acceptance, and the personal limits that each individual must navigate. 

 

Efe Bal’s appearance on Piazzapulita was a powerful moment in the ongoing discourse around transgender rights, family values, and social justice in Italy. Through her candidness, wit, and sharp critiques, she challenged both societal norms and political hypocrisy, urging for a more inclusive society where individuals like her could live freely without fear of discrimination or marginalization. Bal’s words resonated with many who saw her as both an activist and an individual fighting for personal and social change. Her bold stance on legalizing prostitution, her reflections on the hypocrisy of Family Day, and her honest, personal insights into the challenges of being a transgender woman in Italy made this interview one of the most memorable and impactful discussions on Italian television in recent years.

 

via: youtube

Image credits: LA7 - YouTube