Gay men in Italy

[rons_pigwidgeon]

My character is a gay Englishman traveling in Italy around 2000. How likely would he be to be approached by other men in the street? I've been to Italy before, and remember well the frequent romantic overtures I received from Italian men, especially when I was in Florence. But I am an American woman and was 21 at the time, so my experience would not be the same as a gay man. My character is spending a few months in Italy, mostly in Florence, where I am going to have him work in a gelato shop. Would he be likely to be approached at all, and if so, how frequently?

Thank you for any help you can give me!