Italy approves same-sex civil unions
On Wednesday, the lower house of Italy's Parliament gave final approval to a bill that legalizes same-sex unions, sending the legislation to President Sergio Mattarella — in Italy, the presidency is largely ceremonial, and such signatures are usually a formality. The vote, 372 to 51 with 99 abstentions, is a victory for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and for Italian gays and lesbians, years after most other Western countries legalized same-sex unions or marriage. Italy's law does not allow same-sex marriage or the adoption of the biological offspring of someone's same-sex partner, but it does grant access to public housing for all unmarried couples, gay or straight.
Italy first proposed legalizing same-sex unions 30 years ago, and "the Italian population is ready for this," sociologist Chiara Saracenos tells The New York Times. “The Italian population metabolized the recognition of same-sex couples some time ago," but Italian lawmakers "have always lagged behind when it comes to family issues." The Vatican opposed the new law; gay rights proponents vowed to push ahead for greater civil rights.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The elite falcon trade in the Middle EastUnder the Radar Popularity of the birds of prey has been ‘soaring’ despite doubts over the legality of sourcing and concerns for animal welfare
-
A running list of the international figures Donald Trump has pardonedin depth The president has grown bolder in flexing executive clemency powers beyond national borders
-
Mixed nuts: RFK Jr.’s new nutrition guidelines receive uneven reviewsTalking Points The guidelines emphasize red meat and full-fat dairy
-
‘One Battle After Another’ wins Critics Choice honorsSpeed Read Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, won best picture at the 31st Critics Choice Awards
-
A peek inside Europe’s luxury new sleeper busThe Week Recommends Overnight service with stops across Switzerland and the Netherlands promises a comfortable no-fly adventure
-
Son arrested over killing of Rob and Michele ReinerSpeed Read Nick, the 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has been booked for the murder of his parents
-
Rob Reiner, wife dead in ‘apparent homicide’speed read The Reiners, found in their Los Angeles home, ‘had injuries consistent with being stabbed’
-
Hungary’s Krasznahorkai wins Nobel for literatureSpeed Read László Krasznahorkai is the author of acclaimed novels like ‘The Melancholy of Resistance’ and ‘Satantango’
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclubSpeed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
