One million Italians are openly gay or bisexual, or one in 60, according to a recent survey. But, the country’s laws do not reflect this reality. In fact, Italy is the largest European country that hasn’t yet legalized any form of same-sex life partnership. That may change this year.
This week, the Italian parliament considered a bill that could become the country’s first law on civil unions, providing health benefits, inheritance rights, and all the other rights usually reserved for heterosexual couples. It’s not marriage, but it’s a start.
The bill, in italiano.