Italy says ‘yes’ to gay civil unions in historic vote

The Italian government approved on 11 May 2016 the draft law that allows gay civil unions, after a long and bitter debate that pitted the Catholic Church against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

In order to speed up the bill’s passage, Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, called a confidence vote in Italy’s lower house saying it was 'unacceptable to have any more delays after years of failed attempts'.

ILGA-Europe welcomed the news. The new legislation provided for equality in matters of tax, social security and inheritance. However, the situation of rainbow families in Italy was overlooked as proposals to include second-parent adoption in the civil union bill were removed prior to the Senate’s vote on 25 February 2016.

ILGA-Europe said they realised the significance of the vote on the 11 May 2016 vote but also urged Italian lawmakers to examine ways to protect rainbow families and their children without delay.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Renzi calls confidence vote on gay unions bill http://www.europeansources.info/record/renzi-calls-confidence-vote-on-gay-unions-bill/

EurActiv, 12.05.16: Italy overrules Church with green light for gay unions http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/italy-overrules-church-with-green-light-for-gay-unions/

EUObserver, 12.05.16: Italy changes EU gay rights map https://euobserver.com/lgbti/133412

Deutsche Welle, 11.05.16: Italy to go ahead with gay civil unions http://dw.com/p/1Ilne

The Wall Street Journal, 11.05.16: Italy’s Parliament Gives Green Light to Same-Sex Union Bill http://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-parliament-gives-green-light-to-same-sex-union-bill-1462976566

The Local.it, 12.05.16: Why not everyone is happy with Italy's civil unions bill http://www.thelocal.it/20160511/why-not-everyone-is-happy-with-italys-civil-unions-bill

Euronews, 11.05.16: Italy: approving same-sex civil unions ‘a huge step forward,’ say right groups http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/11/italy-approving-same-sex-civil-unions-a-huge-step-forward-say-right-groups/

Euronews, 11.05.16: Italian parliament backs same-sex civil union bill http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/11/italian-prime-minister-matteo-renzi-wins-confidence-vote-in-parliament-on-bill/

The Guardian, 11.05.16: Italian MPs support introduction of same-sex civil unions http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/italy-mps-support-introduction-same-sex-civil-unions

BBC News, 11.05.16: Italian MPs back same-sex unions in vote for Renzi http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36269605

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2016: Rome introduces gay marriages http://www.eurotopics.net/en/159001/rome-introduces-gay-marriages

ILGA Europe: News, 11.05.16: Important day as Italy becomes 27th European country to legally recognise same-sex couples http://www.ilga-europe.org/resources/news/latest-news/italy-recognises-same-sex-couples

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