Italy legalises same-sex civil unions
ITALY’S senate has passed a bill allowing same-sex civil unions to be legally recognised.
The move comes as the most recent development in Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s goal to align the country with the vaguely-defined region of western Europe.
However, the bill’s journey into passing has not been a smooth one. It was in the air for weeks before the upper house allowed it to pass – albeit, without the important adoption clause, which would allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
Nonetheless, this is a historic change for Italy, which until now had no legal protections or recognition for same-sex couples.
Despite this, some LGBT community groups have called the bill a betrayal, due to the omission of the marriage law.
Flavio Romani, president of the LGBT rights group Arcigay, told Reuters: “This text once again does not take into consideration children who need definite laws and protection.
“The law that has come out of all this is lacking its heart.”
If Italy allows civil unions, would that law also apply to the Vatican City? Or does the Vatican City apply or pass their own laws? I assume the tax avoiding, money laundering, racist, homophobic, child molestering Pope and his cardinals are very angry at this! Well good, anything that pisses them off can only be a good thing I say!
No the law will not apply in Vatican City, unless it has their approval. In 2008, Italy passed a “legally-binding treaty” with the Vatican City, so some Italian laws will not apply to Vatican City (such as the age of consent laws, divorce, abortion, adoption, IVF, etc.).
Italy is not the only one, Monaco also does not recognise civil unions either! Do not just blame Italy! Malta will soon be the first country in Europe to outlaw conversion therapy too. Malta was rated a score at number 1 on LGBTI rights in Europe too. UK was rated number 2. Italy scored well below along with Russia in the low 60 score.
Australia does not have a national civil union law! Italy sounds like it will beat us on this! I am deeply embarrassed to be Australian! We seem to be the Texas of Oceania! Let’s face reality, marriage equality is not possible within Australia for the next 3 years! The votes are not there yet. I am sure as a compromise a civil union bill would unanimously pass the Australian Parliament in the mean time! This would recognise the same-sex unions and marriages of Australian couples, who go overseas and come back here in Australia! Justice delayed is justice denied! The secret Vatican must be Tony Abbott, I knew it all along!
I also get very annoyed when any news site reports a bill has passed, when in fact it has only passed one house of parliament! Australia, US, UK, Canada, Italy and Ireland have TWO houses of parliament! A bill only passes when BOTH houses of parliament approve it with a majority vote! With the case of the US Senate only, no non-budget bill or SCOTUS nomination passes – unless it has at least 60 votes! This is called a filibuster, when you have 59 votes or less!
It is incorrect to assume this bill will pass, because like Australia – there are two houses of parliament. The civil union bill has to pass the lower house yet, and it is a chamber that is way more politically conservative. The bill has been watered down by taking out adoption provisions! The conservatives could water it down further to the point of nothing! Even if the bill passed both houses, there is still the signature of the president yet too! And that is not guaranteed either! Just like the US president, it can be vetoed!