The Forgotten History of San Domino: Fascism’s Exile of Homosexuals
During the rise of Fascism in Italy, a dark chapter unfolded that saw the systematic persecution of homosexuals. This oppression culminated in the creation of a punitive colony on San Domino, a small island in the Adriatic Sea. Under Mussolini’s regime, the island became a notorious detention center for homosexual men, forcibly exiled from their communities. This article sheds light on the San Domino camp, a symbol of the repressive policies that targeted Italy’s LGBTQ+ community in the 1930s.
The Fascist Stance on Homosexuality
Mussolini’s Fascist regime, which came to power in 1922, sought to mold Italian society into a model of what they considered moral purity and traditional family values. Homosexuality was seen as a threat to these ideals and was harshly persecuted. Although Italian law did not explicitly criminalize homosexual acts, the regime utilized “public scandal” laws and arbitrary decrees to arrest and exile those deemed morally degenerate.
San Domino: The Island of the Exiled
In 1938, a secretive decree established the San Domino camp (Campo di San Domino) on one of the Tremiti Islands. The camp was primarily intended for men who were identified as homosexuals by the Fascist police. These men were rounded up, often without a fair trial, and sent to San Domino under the guise of maintaining public morality and order.
San Domino, though picturesque, became a prison for these men. The island was isolated, cutting them off from their families and any semblance of normal life. Living conditions were harsh, and the men faced stigmatization not only from the authorities but also from some of the local inhabitants who viewed them with suspicion and contempt.
Life on San Domino
Life on San Domino was a stark departure from freedom. The detainees were subjected to strict surveillance and had limited rights. They were forced to perform labor and were forbidden from engaging in any form of open social or romantic relationships. Despite these conditions, some semblance of community emerged among the detainees, who supported each other through the ordeal.
Interestingly, San Domino was unique in that it was the only camp specifically for homosexuals during Mussolini’s regime. Unlike other forms of political exile in Fascist Italy, which were dispersed across various locations, San Domino’s focus was explicitly on sexual orientation. This distinction underscores the regime’s targeted oppression of homosexual men.
The Aftermath
The San Domino camp closed in 1940 as World War II escalated. Many of the detainees were released or transferred to other detention sites. However, the scars of their exile endured long after the camp’s closure. The story of San Domino remained largely untold for decades, buried under the broader narratives of Fascist oppression.
It wasn’t until recent years that historians and activists began to uncover and acknowledge the suffering endured by the men exiled to San Domino.
For a comprehensive understanding of the history and impact of the San Domino camp, read the full article on WeirdItaly.
