Italian lawmakers may debate several
proposals aimed at recognizing the relationships of gay and lesbian
couples.
According to the blog Agere
per Formulas, Nitto Palma (Forza Italia), chairman of the Justice
Committee of the Italian Senate, on Wednesday proposed review of
several such bills. Forza Italia, along with Five Star Movement and
the Democratic Party, is one of Italy's three major political
parties. Five Star Movement has previously endorsed marriage
equality, but the Silvio Berlusconi-led center-right Forza Italia is
generally opposed.
Bill introduced range from legalizing
marriage for gay couples to creation of a gay-inclusive cohabitation
agreement.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (Democratic
Party) has offered his support to a bill introduced in December that
seeks to legalize civil unions. If approved, the measure would grant
gay couples all the rights and obligations of marriage. However, gay
couples would not be allowed to jointly adopt children.
(Related: Rome
Mayor Ignazio Marino: Gay couples in love should marry.)