Italy's highest court is expected to
rule on a gay marriage case this week, Italian media is reporting.
The country's Constitutional Court
heard an appeal on March 23 from two gay couples who were denied the
right to marry.
Italian lawmakers have debated civil
unions and marriage for gay and lesbian couples since 1986, but no
proposal has ever reached the floor of Parliament for a vote.
The Vatican opposes recognition of gay
unions.
The court will meet in closed session
to discuss a large number of appeals – including the gay marriage
case – on Tuesday and Wednesday. In March, the court postponed
making a decision until after Easter.
Last week, Portugal's
Constitutional Court gave its OK to a gay marriage bill approved
by lawmakers.