Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's second largest
bank, will recognize the foreign marriages of its gay and lesbian
employees, the bank announced last week.
According to La Stampa, an
agreement signed with unionists refers to “a civil or religious
marriage, celebrated in Italy or abroad, even if it is not recognized
by the Italian system.”
The agreement, Intesa
Sanpaolo said, “serves to reinforce the group's commitment”
to “respect diversity” and “equal opportunity.”
The bank's endorsement came just days
after Virginio Merola, the mayor Bologna, announced that the city
would register the foreign marriages of gay couples as of September
15. In May, Fano became the first Italian town to register the
marriage of a gay couple without a court order. Luigi De Magistris,
the mayor of Naples, has signaled his willingness to do the same,
while Ignazio Marino, the mayor of Rome, has said he would back plans
for a civil union registry and the registration of gay couples'
foreign marriages in his city.
Marriage, however, is regulated by the
federal government, which makes local recognition mostly symbolic.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has backed a proposal to recognize gay
couples with civil partnerships.