June 5 (
Bloomberg) -- The heir of Italian artist Mario Sironi (1885-1961) says he won't donate about 5,000 of his grandfather's drawings to Milan after Mayor Letizia Moratti objected to a gay- and-lesbian festival being held in the city.
That's even as the 21st International Festival of Gay and Lesbian Cinema's spokesman Toni Aventino today said that the city's culture and leisure-time aldermen will probably sign a document guaranteeing donations totaling 20,000 euros ($26,000).
``Italy is taking steps backward while other parts of Europe are advancing,'' Andrea Sironi said by telephone. ``Italy is antiquated with its moralism.''
Moratti, elected in 2006 on the ticket of center-right party Forza Italia, last year withdrew city sponsorship of a gay tennis tournament held in the city since 1999, the weekly magazine L'Espresso said on its Web site. She gave no explanation for her stance on the film festival other than saying ``we're not giving sponsorship,'' L'Espresso reported.
If Moratti grants the money and goes public with a more pro- gay stance Sironi is open to donating the artworks.
``I'm not stubborn,'' he said. ``If she goes back on her decision, I don't see why I can't change my mind.''
Sironi yesterday released a letter condemning Moratti's move to withhold financing for the film festival, saying the city can have his grandfather's works only after she leaves office.
The 21st International Festival of Gay and Lesbian Cinema opened on June 1 and runs through June 7.
To contact the reporter on this story: Adam L. Freeman in