Gay couple 'insulted' while on Sicilian holiday

Alessio Conte, 43, and his partner Diego had anti-gay messages slipped under their door at the four-star Delfino Beach Hotel in Marsala.

One of the messages said, “go away ugly fags”, Conte told the Palermo edition of Corriere del Mezzogiorno.

“We live our relationship in the open,” he said.

“Unfortunately, most people are not open to us.”

He said the couple, who have been together for five years, avoided excessive displays of affection but were met with “giggles” from fellow holidaymakers who “turned away from us, and looked at us as if were were two rare beasts every time we entered the pool.”

Another message found in their room said: "Shame on you, your homosexuality disturbs our children!”

“We are responsible adults and so we are able to cushion the blows,” Conte added.

“I hope these cowards know that people are not measured by their sexual choices, but by moral and personal values.”

The couple had intended to spend the Ferragosto holiday at the hotel but left after a few days.

A spokesperson for the Delfino could not be reached for comment when contacted by The Local.

A 14-year-old boy in Rome committed suicide after being bullied for being gay. His death has prompted calls from politicians and activist groups for Italy to enforce an anti-homophobia bill, which is being debated by parliament.