Volunteering for LGBT rights in Italy

Volunteering in my city for Arcigay, the biggest gay and lesbian association in Italy, is a gratifying experience.
It all started in 2007 when I was a shy boy and didn't know anything about what the gay universe was and about the gay community in Turin, Italy. I felt prisoner of my loneliness. Trying to defeat that, I asked a friend for suggestions and decided to join the Arcigay Committee in Turin, where I could finally find people who wanted to change the world, as I did.
The main Arcigay aim is to fight homophobia, lesbophobia and transphobia, so every discrimination and injustice burdening on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual (LGBT) people. We try to promote our members' well-being and a LGBT as an identity culture in general. Among our activities we include parties, cine-forum, books presentations, training sections for municipal and regional healthcare staff. Lately we have started some  new services: a youth section, a psychotherapy group and an help-line.
I'm now part of the Arcigay-Torino managing board and educational activities officer: everytime I heard about local, national or European training courses I'm responsible for contacting members and inviting them to join. At the present time, I'm working on a counseling training course for help-line volunteers, because I think volunteers need to be taught about how to deal  with the delicate needs of people who call us, in order to make a better job.
As a conclusion, in my association we move heaven and earth: we have to deal with politics, society and culture. In the passed three years I grew up too: I'm not the boy paralized by fear anymore but I became a point of reference for those who are worried of being visible and coming out to parents and friends. Throught volunteering I defeated my old fears and finally I feel helpful and satisfied. The people I met, volunteers from Italy or Europe, enriched my personal experience with their speeches; my commitee collegues turned out to be my best friends and a rich part of my life. I'm proud to work with them and to share common goals.