Italy, Europe

Since 2003 discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment is illegal throughout the whole country in conformity with EU directives. Since the introduction of the first Penal Code in 1890, there have been no laws against same-sex sexual activity in Italy. Same-sex activity were not considered as a problem, or better they were tolerated while performed in private. During the 1800 century Italy was known for 'gay tourism', i.e. a place where lived beautiful men. However, gays were persecuted in the later years of the Mussolini regime and under the Italian Social Republic of 1943-45. The age of consent is 14. On February 2007 the Prodi government proposed to the national parliament a new law allowing a restricted version of civil union, called DICO, which would grant rights to unmarried couples both homosexuals and heterosexuals in areas of labour law, inheritance, tax and medical assistance. The law faced strong opposition from the Catholic church and from Christian democrats members of parliament and did not pass. Prodi has even chastised several members of his cabinet who supported with their presence a pro same-sex marriage legislation demonstration. The new government headed by Berlusconi does not have among its goals that of civil rights recognition for same-sex couples.

 

News & Reports:

 

Gays, History & A New Bishop of Rome

Imma Battaglia leaned in to tell me a story of intrigue — about secret closed door agreements between the Catholic Church and political figures. It all seemed farfetched in the modern era, more akin to the Borgias’ rise to power or something from Machiavelli’s “The Prince.” “You know, it is a part of our story,”… Read more »

Rome’s Ignazio Marino Registers Marriages Of 16 Gay Couples

Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino on Saturday registered the foreign marriages of 16 gay and lesbian couples. Italy does not recognize the unions of gay couples, though Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has pledged to introduce a civil unions bill. Moments before the start of Rome’s 20th annual Gay Pride Parade in June, Marino announced his administration… Read more »

Italy Allows Lesbian Couple To Adopt Child

In a historic first, an Italian court has allowed a lesbian to adopt the child of her partner. The 5-year-old girl was conceived through artificial insemination in another European country. The women, who also married abroad, have raised the child together in their home in Rome. Gay couples are not allowed to marry or adopt… Read more »

Italy: Court orders town to recognise gay couple’s marriage for first time

A town in Italy has been ordered to recognise the marriage of a same-sex couple who married in the US. The decision by the court in the Tuscan city of Grosseto, is being hailed as a first step towards same-sex marriage in the country. The couple, Stefano Bucci and Stefano Chigiotti married in 2012 in… Read more »

Former Vatican guard: I was regularly asked for gay sex by priests

A former Swiss guard claims cardinals, priests and bishops asked him for sex at least 20 times during his time serving the Vatican One of the Pope’s former personal bodyguards has claimed he received several sexual advances from priests while serving at the Vatican. He claims he received 20 to 25 explicit sexual advances from… Read more »

Pope Francis honors gay teen genius for cancer test

Jack Andraka, a 16-year-old prodigy, says being awarded by the Vatican proves how the world has grown to accept people who are gay Pope Francis has honored a gay teen science prodigy for his work developing a cost-effective method to detect pancreatic cancer. Jack Andraka, a 16-year-old teen from Maryland, is one of the most… Read more »

Pope Francis’s Vatican Excommunicates Pro-LGBT Priest

Last week, Pope Francis once again made international headlines by saying something nice about LGBT people. And just like the last time Francis had nice-sounding words for our community, I was the proverbial fly in the ointment, counseling caution even as others tripped over themselves to praise the pontiff. As I noted then, Francis’s words… Read more »

Backlash from Italy’s LGBT groups as Parliament votes on ‘useless’ gay hate ban

Italian LGBT groups are unsatisfied with a proposed anti-homophobia bill that passed in the lower Chamber of Deputies last night, arguing the bill’s freedom of speech protections still allow discriminatory transgressions Italy’s LGBT groups are saying the new ban on homophobia is ‘hypocritical’. LGBT rights and ally groups criticized the proposed legislation, which intends to… Read more »

Sicily’s first openly gay governor wins support with anti-mafia crusade

Palermo, Italy — Of the last two men to sit in Sicily’s palatial governor’s office, one is up on criminal charges and the other is doing hard time. Enter their successor, Rosario Crocetta — the unlikeliest politician ever to govern Cosa Nostra country. Back when he was mayor of a coastal town plagued by mob… Read more »

Sardinians march for gay rights in beach pride

An estimated 10,000 people marched on the beach of Cagliari, Sardinia, to shout, sing and fight for LGBT rights in an anti-gay region of Italy At least 10,000 people gathered on Cagliari’s beach to fight for LGBT rights in Sardinia, Italy. Photo by Daniele Guido Gessa At least 10,000 people marched for gay pride in… Read more »

A gay island community created by Italy’s Fascists

Seventy-five years ago in Fascist Italy, a group of gay men were labelled “degenerate”, expelled from their homes and interned on an island. They were held under a prison regime – but some found life in the country’s first openly gay community a liberating experience. Every summer, tourists are drawn to the beauty of a… Read more »

Italy: Politicians call for civil unions, anti-gay hate laws

After a letter from a suicidal gay teen went viral in Italy, center-right politicians are now calling on government to back gay rights Italy’s center-right politicians are calling for equal rights for gay people, saying they are in favor of same-sex unions and anti-homophobia laws. Sandro Bondi, the former Culture Minister, has responded to a… Read more »

Italy: Culture committee chairman proposes bill on gay civil unions

A centre-right Italian politician proposes to introduce a bill this week that would recognise the civil rights of gay couples in same-sex relationships. Giancarlo Galan is confident that he will receive support from colleagues within ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right People of Freedom (PdL) party. “In the PdL, there are many who think like me…Then there… Read more »

Same-Sex Couple Say, ‘I Do,’ as Italy Sticks to ‘I Don’t’

Rome — The nuptials were traditional in almost every sense. The music was romantic. Teary vows were exchanged, along with shimmering rings, and a passionate first kiss was greeted with boisterous cheers, and more tears, by both families. But from a legal point of view, the wedding last week of Massimiliano Benedetto and Giuseppe Ilaria… Read more »

Italy grants gay partners rights but only for politicians

Deputies in the lower house of parliament given health benefits for gay partners. But other Italians are angry they are getting rights normal same-sex couples don’t yet enjoy The Italian Camera dei Deputati (the lower chamber of the Parliament) has approved a new rule which extends its politician’s health benefits to their gay partners. Now… Read more »

History made in Italy as Milan recognizes UK civil partnership

Cristian and Federico signed their civil union in London in 2010. Now they can apply for local benefits and local welfare A local court in Milan has recognized a British civil partnership – the first time Italy has legally recognized a gay union from abroad. Now the civil union between Cristian, a biologist, and Federico,… Read more »

New pope ‘is a bad sign’ for equality, says Argentine LGBT rights group

Argentina’s leading LGBT rights organization ‘expresses its deep regret’ at the appointment of a new pope, a former archbishop of the City of Buenos Aires, with an anti-gay record Newly-elected Pope Francis has received a frigid welcome from Argentina’s leading LGBT rights group. In a statement released yesterday by the Argentine LGBT Federation (FALGBT), the… Read more »

Pope Francis Against Gay Marriage, Gay Adoption

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a 76-year-old Argentinean, was chosen as the first Latin American pope on Wednesday. He will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics as Pope Francis. While his selection may be historic, it may also mean more of the same when it comes to gay rights in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis is… Read more »

It is easy to be cynical and exaggerate the extent of abuse by clergy against children

Westhampton, MA – Quoted here are excerpts from the Associated Press of September 14, 2009 and published by the New York Times. It is easy to be cynical and exaggerate the extent of abuse by clergy against children but that serves no purpose other than creating more abuse, in this case against innocent clergy who… Read more »

Vatican: Topless women demonstrate for equal marriage rights during Pope’s weekly prayer

A Ukrainian feminist group have demonstrated topless at St Peter’s Square for gay rights, as Pope Benedict XVI gave his weekly prayer. Four women from Ukrainian feminist group, Femen, stripped off to display the words “Shut up!”, on their fronts, and “in gay we trust” on their backs. The activists also shouted “Homophobic shut up!”,… Read more »

Gays and lesbians in Italy worry about their future

Fear life as senior more difficult for gays than heterosexuals Rome(ANSA) – Homosexuals in Italy fear their future will be more difficult than that of heterosexuals, according to a survey released Wednesday. Fully 55% of gays and lesbians surveyed say they are concerned about their future in Italy, and 52% said that being homosexual and… Read more »

Italian boy commits suicide after Facebook and school gay hate

15-year-old boy loved to wear pink trousers and pink jumpers, but was derided on Facebook and at his high school A 15-year-old boy has committed suicide after having been bullied on social networks and at school in Rome, Italy. ‘AS’, a student from the Cavour high school, in Rome’s city center, loved to wear pink… Read more »

Italian gay man given paid leave for same-sex marriage

Tuscan company Publiacqua ignores law to give employee two-weeks off to marry his husband An Italian gay man has obtained two weeks leave from his company to marry his husband in Brazil. The news is making headlines in Italy, a country that does not recognize same-sex unions, partnerships or marriages. Gioacchino Di Gioia from Prato,… Read more »

Vatican vows to fight gay marriage after gains in U.S., Europe

Vatican City (Reuters) – The Vatican, reacting to strong gains for gay marriage in the United States and Europe, on Saturday pledged never to stop fighting attempts to “erase” the privileged role of heterosexual marriage, which it called it “an achievement of civilization”. For the second consecutive day, Vatican media weighed in with forceful editorials… Read more »

Almost half of Italians want same-sex marriage

Istituto Nazionale di Statistica released its first national survey on homosexuality in the Mediterranean country The first official Italian national survey on homosexuality has been presented at Montecitorio Palace. More than half of Italians think that same-sex couples should have more rights, but only 43% believe that they should have the right to marry. The… Read more »

Church and gays clash over Bologna Pride

The march will start from the museum of the Holy Mary, once home of the LGBT movement. But the Catholic hierarchy has attacked the organizers The city of Bologna, northern Italy, is in the center of a struggle between the Church and the rights of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. The next national… Read more »

Nest in Cagliari, Sardinia this spring

Urban flamingos and a gay scene make the historic seaside city of Cagliari, capital of the Italian island, pretty in pink Flamingos, flamingos everywhere. When you land in Cagliari you find these exotic tropical birds crowded onto one of the biggest Europe’s lagoons, the Laguna di Santa Gilla, next to the airport. Spring is the… Read more »

Uruguayan man given landmark residence permit to live with husband in Italy

Authorities in northern Italy on Monday issued a residence permit to a Uruguayan man whose application was initially rejected because his marriage to an Italian man – which took place in Spain – is not recognised by the country’s laws. A court in Reggio Emilia ruled last month that authorities had violated European Union rules… Read more »

Pope Benedict warns against gay marriage

Pope Benedict XVI has denounced gay marriage in a speech to US bishops visiting Vatican City. The Pope warned of “powerful political and cultural currents seeking to alter the legal definition of marriage”. He also urged the bishops to emphasise to their Church that premarital sex and cohabitation was “gravely sinful” and “damaging to the… Read more »

Video: Italian gay marriage film shows unequal laws

An Italian marriage equality video shows the preparations for a gay couple’s wedding as a reminder that the country provides no legal recognitions for same-sex relationships. The film was made by Secret Wood Team with the support of Arcigay, who campaign for equality between individuals regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Although homosexuality… Read more »

Gay Italy News & Reports (Including Vatican) 2010-11

1 Film Documenting Homophobia in Italy Set for London Screening 4/10 2 “Every Kiss is a Revolution” as Gays Await Legal Rights 6/10 3 Italian Catholic priests ‘filmed having casual sex at gay clubs 7/10 4 Vicar of Rome to Gay Priests: Come Out and Get Out 7/10 5 Italy’s ‘summer of homophobia’ 8/10 6… Read more »

Gay Italy News & Reports (Including Vatican) 2008-09

1 Hadrian the gay emperor 1/08 2 Gay film festival to showcase Japanese queer cinema 2/08 3 Mob Ransacks Rome Gay Center 4/08 4 MEPs call for ‘quality’ EU commissioner from Italy 4/08 5 New Mayor calls Pride a "sexual exhibition" 5/08 6 Italian equal opportunities minister rejects ‘gay pride’ march 5/08 7 Italy gay… Read more »

Gay Italy News & Reports (Including Vatican) 2006-07

1 Italians clash on gay ‘marriage’ 1/06 2 Gay rights enter Italian election 2/06 3 David Volleyball Tournament 7/06 4 Vatican bans church service for gays, Italian gays protest 1/07 5 Italy Coalition Faces Challenge Over Gay Rights 1/07 6 Italy’s gays lay their hopes in same-sex unions bill 2/07 7 Italy approves ‘gay couples’… Read more »

Gay Italy News & Reports (Including Vatican) 2000-05

1 Italy Focuses on Homosexuality: Gay Pride vs the Vatican 6/00 2 Erotic Roman frescoes unveiled at Pompeii baths complex 11/01 3 Italy: priest expelled for marrying gay couples 2/02 4 Italian Gay couple test the legal limits with Dutch marriage 7/02 5 Homophobia alive and well in Italy 6/05 (Replaces 6/03 article) 6 Procreation… Read more »