Italy: Democratic Party MP denies plans of a same-sex civil unions bill

A cabinet under-secretary has denied reports that the Italian government is working on a gay civil unions bill.

On Wednesday, centre-left Democratic Party MP Ivan Scalfarotto told ANSA: “I have no record of a government bill on civil unions between gays, but the premier has been saying for a while that he wants German-style civil partnerships.”

He added: “Gay people can’t choose between marriage and cohabitation while heterosexuals can.”

Last year, Mr Scalfarotto requested a rule which would allow gay MPs to extend their healthcare benefits to their partners.

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.

Earlier this month, Italy’s Interior Minister blocked the recognition of same-sex marriages, saying they cannot be recognised by the country

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.

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