Italy extends surrogacy ban abroad, sparking outrage over discrimination against same-sex couples
- In Reports
- 06:38 PM, Oct 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
Italy outlawed the practice of its nationals travelling overseas for surrogacy on Wednesday. This ruling has been criticised as "medieval" and for discriminating against same-sex couples.
The far-right Brothers of Italy party, led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, and the League, its conservative coalition partner, pushed the bill to prolong a surrogacy prohibition that has existed since 2004 on the grounds that it promotes women's dignity. Following the approval of the bill by the Lower House last year, the Senate took the next step and passed it 84-58 after a seven-hour debate.
In countries like the US or Canada where surrogacy is permitted, Italians who want to do so risk up to two years in prison and fines of up to one million euros ($1.1 million). Every couple is equally subject to the surrogacy prohibition. However, proponents of same-sex parenthood claim that it is especially harsh on homosexual families in a nation where adoption is restricted to heterosexual couples and birthrates are at historic lows.
In addition to Italy's restriction on same-sex unions, LGBTQ+ couples have been battling for parental rights for the non-biological parent. Protesting the measure in front of the Senate, a number of MPs and LGBTQ+ activists held banners that said, "Parents, not criminals."
“When protectionism prevails, a social phenomenon is not erased,” opposition lawmaker Riccardo Magi said during the protest. “It is simply relegated to a dark area, which the law doesn’t reach. In that case, it’s easier for exploitation, abuse and rights violations to prevail.”
Cristiano Giraldi, the father of two 10-year-old children born to a surrogate mother in the United States, expressed his sadness, saying, "Italy has once again missed an opportunity to demonstrate that it is a country in line with what Europe and the world are." In Italy and outside, the Catholic Church has been adamantly against surrogacy; Pope Francis has criticised what he called the "commercialisation" of pregnancy and urged for a global prohibition.
The Vatican's theology office has clarified that same-sex parents who use surrogacy are permitted to have their children baptised at the same time. Commercial surrogacy contracts are prohibited in Spain and Italy, despite being prevalent in the United States, where they include promises of independent legal counsel, medical care, and safeguards for mothers.
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