Ice cream parlour under fire for selling pink gelato dubbed ‘gay pistachio’

An Italian ice cream parlour has been accused of ‘gimmicks’ over its decision to name a new green and pink chocolate ice cream Gay Pistachio

An Italian ice cream parlour has been slammed for “fuelling bullying and stereotypes” after it decided to sell a gelato called “Gay Pistachio”.

The shop owners of the parlour located on Piazza Duomo in Catania, Sicily combined green pistachio with pink chocolate to create the colourful sweet treat and said that the blend of colours helped to decide the controversial name.

A spokesperson for the parlour, explained: “We combined pistachio with pink chocolate and that’s why we called it that.” However, LGBTQ+ activists have come out fighting against the term “gay” being used as an insult and with negative connotations. One group described the name as a “gimmick”.

Luigi Tabita, an actor and LGBTQ+ activist, criticised the naming of the gelato on his Instagram page – in a post that has now gone viral.

He accused the owners of “fuelling bullying and stereotypes, especially in a still chauvinistic culture that associates the colour pink with femininity and considers it a sign of weakness”.

He added: “There is a habit of using the word gay as an insult. “I work in schools. Unfortunately, the word ‘spastic’ used to be a frequent insult, but thanks to awareness-raising work on disability issues and inclusive language, this no longer happens.

“However, it is very common to hear ‘gay’ in the hallways, giving it a negative connotation even if it’s not related to sexual orientation.

“Imagine a child or a young person who is bullied daily and then finds ‘gay pistachio’ written in an ice cream shop,” he added.

LGBTQ+ group Open Catania agreed with the kickback against the name and described it as a “waste [of] time”

The group posted: “In Catania, we have a clear problem with homosexual identity. It’s 2026, and we don’t want to waste time with gay pistachios and other gimmicks.

“Also, there’s a world burning out there and our priorities should be elsewhere.”

Many people commented on Luigi’s post. One follower said: “Unfortunately, ignorance still reigns supreme, but there are people in Catania who don’t think so and that’s a positive sign.”

Another said: “A boy died over a pair of pink trousers, these things still happen in 2026.”

A third said: “I agree with you, however, the intent is certainly playful and even gay-friendly. Whoever proposed it naively doesn’t realise how harmful, stereotypical, and embarrassing the association of pink with homosexuality can be.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.