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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 'Pro-family' groups rally in Rome | 'Pro-family' groups rally in Rome |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of "pro-family" protesters have gathered in the Italian capital to protest against laws giving more rights to homosexual couples. | |
| The proposed law would allow all unmarried couples greater rights in areas such as inheritance, but stops short of legalising gay marriage. | The proposed law would allow all unmarried couples greater rights in areas such as inheritance, but stops short of legalising gay marriage. |
| Hundreds of activists attended a counter-demonstration supporting the law nearby, in Rome's Piazza Navona. | Hundreds of activists attended a counter-demonstration supporting the law nearby, in Rome's Piazza Navona. |
| The divisive issue is causing problems for Prime Minister Romano Prodi. | The divisive issue is causing problems for Prime Minister Romano Prodi. |
| Catholics and Communists from Mr Prodi's coalition attended both rallies, magnifying the same divides that brought down his government in February, says the BBC's Christian Fraser. | Catholics and Communists from Mr Prodi's coalition attended both rallies, magnifying the same divides that brought down his government in February, says the BBC's Christian Fraser. |
| 'Test of commitment' | 'Test of commitment' |
| People from around the country gathered amid a carnival-like atmosphere for Italy's first "Family Day" rally, at Rome's St John Lateran square. | People from around the country gathered amid a carnival-like atmosphere for Italy's first "Family Day" rally, at Rome's St John Lateran square. |
| It will be a big protest against us, and that is the best advertisement we could ever have Franco GrilliniArcigay president | It will be a big protest against us, and that is the best advertisement we could ever have Franco GrilliniArcigay president |
| Music, clowns and games kept children entertained, while older demonstrators listened to speeches by Catholic officials. | Music, clowns and games kept children entertained, while older demonstrators listened to speeches by Catholic officials. |
| "Living together is not family," protester Anna Manara, 58, told Associated Press news agency. | "Living together is not family," protester Anna Manara, 58, told Associated Press news agency. |
| "A commitment such as marriage cements the bond, while other models make it easier to be together and therefore end up making it less valuable." | "A commitment such as marriage cements the bond, while other models make it easier to be together and therefore end up making it less valuable." |
| Reports say between 500,000 and 1.5 million protesters turned out. | |
| The demonstration had the backing of the Vatican and Italy's Catholic bishops, although neither was involved in organising the protest. | The demonstration had the backing of the Vatican and Italy's Catholic bishops, although neither was involved in organising the protest. |
| At the counter-demonstration across town, Italy's Minister of International Trade and European Affairs, Emma Bonino, condemned the Vatican's interference in domestic politics. | At the counter-demonstration across town, Italy's Minister of International Trade and European Affairs, Emma Bonino, condemned the Vatican's interference in domestic politics. |
| "The Pope is just stepping in politics every single day," she said. | "The Pope is just stepping in politics every single day," she said. |
| "You are not in a position to open the news, any evening at all, without a speech from the Pope, be it on Turkey, be it on whatever." | "You are not in a position to open the news, any evening at all, without a speech from the Pope, be it on Turkey, be it on whatever." |
| Franco Grillini, president of Italy's main gay rights group, Arcigay, said the country was "scared of diversity". | Franco Grillini, president of Italy's main gay rights group, Arcigay, said the country was "scared of diversity". |
| Yet Mr Grillini said he welcomed the Family Day rally. | Yet Mr Grillini said he welcomed the Family Day rally. |
| "It will be a big protest against us, and that is the best advertisement we could ever have." | "It will be a big protest against us, and that is the best advertisement we could ever have." |
| Missing out | Missing out |
| About 500,000 unmarried Italian couples are without shared rights or benefits. | About 500,000 unmarried Italian couples are without shared rights or benefits. |
| Hundreds rallied to support the bill in Rome's Piazza Navona | Hundreds rallied to support the bill in Rome's Piazza Navona |
| They miss out on social benefits, property or inheritance, a situation that is now at odds with many countries in Europe. | They miss out on social benefits, property or inheritance, a situation that is now at odds with many countries in Europe. |
| When Mr Prodi came to power last year he promised his supporters that the government would bring in new laws to protect cohabiting couples. | When Mr Prodi came to power last year he promised his supporters that the government would bring in new laws to protect cohabiting couples. |
| But with only a razor-thin majority in the Senate, Mr Prodi needs the full support of all sides of his coalition, our correspondent says. | But with only a razor-thin majority in the Senate, Mr Prodi needs the full support of all sides of his coalition, our correspondent says. |
| Recent polls showed that most Catholics in Italy are in favour of changes to the legislation despite Church opposition. | Recent polls showed that most Catholics in Italy are in favour of changes to the legislation despite Church opposition. |