Italy: Bologna begins recognition of overseas same-sex marriages
The city of Bologna has begun to recognise the marriages of same-sex couples who married overseas.
The Italian city – which has a population of 380,000 – announced that from today the couples can have their marriages registered at the city hall.
The move comes after Bologna mayor Virginio Merola signed a directive in June this year, becoming the latest part of Italy to move in favour of equal marriage.
Italy is home to a large Catholic population, and lags behind other European countries on LGBT rights, with gay couples having no legal recognition, rights to adopt, and limited protection from discrimination.
How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris recently married in the country – but will have to file separate paperwork in the US for the marriage to be recognised.
Last month a lesbian couple in Italy has became the first to be allowed to adopt a child, after a court ruled they could not be stopped from doing so.
In July, an Italian Mayor launched a proposal to ban all public gay kissing in his town.
Gianluca Buonanno, an MP and MEP for the right-wing Northern League party, is also the mayor of the town of Borgosesia.
He said: “I don’t like that two people of the same-sex could exchange public displays of affection.
“It’s a matter of respect. And I am convinced that is morally harmful for children.”
