Dr Gabriella M. Romano is a documentary writer/director and a scholar. Her current main field of research is the history of sexuality and homosexuality in Italy, specializing in the fascist period (1922 – 1943), and women’s history. On these two broad topics, she has published non-fiction books and essays mainly based on her oral history research and she has written, produced and directed several documentaries.
Her other main interests are the performing arts. She worked as a music and theatre journalist for radio, magazines and daily newspapers. Starting in 1987, she also worked in television, as a generic and archive researcher, and in production for several programs, mostly focusing on Italian history and culture topics.
Degrees
PhD, History, Birkbeck College, University of London, 2017 – 2021. Wellcome Trust funded.
MRes, History, Birkbeck College, University of London, 2016 - 2017. Distinction. Wellcome Trust funded.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Communication Studies (Documentary), Goldsmiths’ College, University of London, 1989-90.
BA in Lettere con Indirizzo Artistico, University of Turin, 1979 -1986.
Maturità Classica, Liceo Classico M. D'Azeglio, Turin, 1974 - 1979.
Courses Taught
THTR 3001: History of Theater I
Publications
Le parole di Violet, in Lombardo G. P. ed., 7 aprile 1926, Attentanto al al Duce. Violet Gibson, capace di intendere e di volere?, Fefè, Roma 2021.
Caro Mejdi Karim, in Ghibaudo G., Polastri G. eds, Queerphobia, D Edizioni, Roma 2021.
Talking About Silence, “Cadmus” European University Institute, 2020, pp. 1 - 10.
The Pathologisation of Homosexuality in Fascist Italy. The Case of G., Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke 2019; Italian translation: Il Caso di G. La patologizzazione dell’omosessualità nell’Italia fascista, ETS, Pisa 2019.
La Tarantina e la sua Dolce Vita, Ombre corte, Verona 2013.
Prodigiose Amazzoni. Opere di Artiste a Roma tra il Rinascimento e il primo Ottocento, Biblink, Roma 2012. I Prize "Il Pasese delle Donne - Sezione Arti Visive" 2013.
Il mio nome è Lucy. L’Italia del XX secolo nei ricordi di una transessuale, Donzelli, Roma 2009.
Ritratti di Donne in Interni, in Fuori dalla Norma. Milletti N., Passerini L. eds., Rosenberg & Sellier, Torino 2007.
I Sapori della Seduzione. Ricettario dell'amore tra donne nell'Italia degli Anni Cinquanta, Ombre corte, Verona 2006, II ed. due in 2022, PM edizioni.
Acqua, in Principesse Azzurre 3, Vaccarello D. ed., Mondadori, Milano 2004.
Co-author with Petley J. of Europe after the Deluge, in Channels of Resistance, Dowmunt T. ed., British Film Institute, London 1991.
I Quindici Anni del Centro Pannunzio, Quaderni Laici, Torino 1983.
Documentaries
“BACI RUBATI. AMORI OMOSESSUALI NELL'ITALIA FASCISTA” (“Stolen
Kisses”), co-author and co-director, documentary produced by Cinecittà Luce (video, I 2020).
“ESSERE LUCY” (“Being Lucy”), author, director and producer (video, I 2011).
“LA DONNA CHE CERCÒ DI UCCIDERE IL DUCE: VIOLET GIBSON” (“The Woman Who Tried to Kill the Duce: Violet Gibson”), author and director, documentary produced by Paneikon (video, I 2009).
"RICORDARE" ("To Remember"), director and producer (video and S/8, I 2003).
“L’ALTRO IERI” (“The Day Before Yesterday”), director and producer (video and S/8, I & UK 2001).
"NIETTA'S DIARY" (“Pazza d’Azzurro”), director and producer, (16mm, Super 8 and video, UK 1996). Audience Prize at 1997 Immaginaria Film Festival, Bologna.
“LESBIAN HEALTH MATTERS”, director and producer (educational, video, UK 1994), Mention for Special Merit at BMA Video Awards 1996.
"A SON OF THE DESERT", director, documentary produced by BBC2 for the series, "10 x 10", (16 mm, UK 1990).