A bill which would recognize gay and
lesbian couples with civil unions in Italy was presented to
parliament on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the bill was
briefly presented in the Senate.
“We are finally here with a civil
union bill that is very strong,” said Senator Monica Cirinna, who
authored the bill.
“It is not exactly equal to other
marriages, which I would have preferred, but it is a bill that
recognizes all social rights,” she
told Reuters.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi first
pledged to push for civil unions in 2013.
Italy remains the only major country in
the West to not formally recognize the unions of gay couples.
If approved, the legislation would
grant unmarried couples, gay or straight, most of the rights and
obligations of marriage. Adoption would only be possible in cases
where a partner dies, a provision that some conservative lawmakers
oppose.
The Vatican has previously stated its
opposition to the bill and has warned of protests if the bill becomes
law.