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Italian Senate passes watered-down bill recognising same-sex civil unions Italian Senate passes watered-down bill recognising same-sex civil unions
(35 minutes later)
Italy on Thursday took its first step toward the legal recognition of civil unions between same sex couples, overcoming staunch opposition from the Catholic church in Italy and last-minute political manoeuvring that nearly derailed the legislation. Italy took its first step toward the legal recognition of civil unions between same-sex couples, overcoming staunch opposition from the Catholic church in Italy and last-minute political manoeuvring that nearly derailed the legislation.
It means that, once the legislation is signed into law, every major country in western Europe will offer some legal recognition – either through civil unions or marriage – to same-sex couples.It means that, once the legislation is signed into law, every major country in western Europe will offer some legal recognition – either through civil unions or marriage – to same-sex couples.
The overwhelming vote in support of the civil union legislation in the Senate, where it passed 173-71, was nevertheless a bittersweet victory for advocates of LGBT rights after senators were forced to water down the legislation to ensure its passage. Related: 'It’s discrimination, plain and simple': Italians on the civil unions vote
Matteo Renzi, Italy’s prime minister, called passage of the law “historic” hours before the vote. If he had lost the vote, Renzi would have had to resign. The law still has to pass in the lower chamber of deputies, but the passage of the bill in the Senate was the toughest hurdle. The overwhelming vote on Thursday in support of the civil union legislation in the senate, where it passed by 173 votes to 71, was nevertheless a bittersweet victory for advocates of LGBT rights after senators were forced to water down the legislation to ensure its passage.
The law will allow both same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter civil unions that will give them legal rights similar to married couples. But a provision in the legislation that would have granted non-biological parents in same-sex unions some parental rights – known as the “stepchild” provision – was struck from the legislation this week following a parliamentary agreement between Renzi’s Democratic party and his coalition partners, the New Centre Right. Matteo Renzi, Italy’s prime minister, called passage of the law “historic” hours before the vote. If he had lost the vote, Renzi would have had to resign. The law still has to pass in the lower chamber of deputies, but the passage of the bill in the senate was the toughest hurdle.
The law will allow same-sex and heterosexual couples to enter civil unions that will give them legal rights similar to married couples. However, a provision in the legislation that would have granted non-biological parents in same-sex unions some parental rights – known as the “stepchild” provision – was struck from the legislation this week following a parliamentary agreement between Renzi’s Democratic party and his coalition partners, the New Centre Right.
“This text once again does not take into consideration children who need definite laws and protection,” said Flavio Romani, president of gay rights group Arcigay. “The law that has come out of all this is lacking its heart.”“This text once again does not take into consideration children who need definite laws and protection,” said Flavio Romani, president of gay rights group Arcigay. “The law that has come out of all this is lacking its heart.”
Angelino Alfano, leader of the New Centre Right and interior minister, welcomed the decision not to give gay couples even limited rights to adopt children. “We have prevented a revolution that went against nature,” he said.Angelino Alfano, leader of the New Centre Right and interior minister, welcomed the decision not to give gay couples even limited rights to adopt children. “We have prevented a revolution that went against nature,” he said.