Thousands of people have marched in cities across Italy, demanding legal recognition for same-sex couples. According to BBC, the rallies were held as lawmakers are due to debate the deeply divisive issue next week. Opponents of the bill are going to hold their own demonstration next Saturday. Protesters are also defending their parental rights that should be enshrined in law.
Thousands of people have marched in cities across Italy, demanding legal recognition for same-sex couples. According to BBC, the rallies were held as lawmakers are due to debate the deeply divisive issue next week. Opponents of the bill are going to hold their own demonstration next Saturday. Protesters are also defending their parental rights that should be enshrined in law.
"A top US LGBT rights advocate has warned that Italy will face deep economic repercussions if it fails to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples, including reluctance by multinational companies to invest in the country", informs The Guardian.
The Italian senate has to begin debating proposed legislation for recognizing same-sex couples on Thursday. However, it is not clear whether the government of Matteo Renzi, the left-of-centre prime minister who supports the bill, has enough support for it to pass.
A small number of towns in Italy allow local LGBT civil unions, but there is a national ban on same-sex marriage and the benefits of the existing provision are limited.
