Italy has enacted a new law banning couples from traveling abroad for surrogacy, extending the existing prohibition on the practice within the country to those seeking it in jurisdictions where it is legally permitted, such as the United States and Canada. The legislation, proposed by the far-right governing party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has ignited controversy and accusations of discrimination against LGBT couples. Critics argue that the law exacerbates the difficulties faced by these couples in pursuing parenthood, particularly in light of Italy's declining birth rate.
Italy Criminalizes Surrogacy Abroad, Impacting LGBT Rights
Italy Criminalizes Surrogacy Abroad, Impacting LGBT Rights
Italy's new surrogacy law, part of the conservative agenda, aims to restrict couples from seeking surrogacy outside the country, raising concerns about discrimination against LGBT families.
The Italian Senate voted 84-58 in favor of the ban, which can result in prison sentences of up to two years and fines reaching €1 million (£835,710) for violations. Protesters opposing the measure argue that it obstructs paths to parenthood while LGBTQ activist Franco Grillini stated that those who become parents should be celebrated, rather than punished. This law is viewed as an extension of Meloni's socially conservative ideology, which emphasizes traditional family structures.
Meloni, Italy's first female prime minister, has made clear her opposition to surrogacy, describing it as a "symbol of an abominable society" that equates desire with rights. Her political stance is influenced by her Christian values and the belief that children should be raised by a heterosexual couple. Critics assert that the law specifically targets LGBT families, who are already barred from adopting or using in vitro fertilization (IVF) within the country.
Despite assertions from lawmakers that the intention is to protect women's dignity and that most surrogacy cases involve heterosexual couples, experts suggest that this law disproportionately affects LGBTQ individuals who cannot easily conceal their family arrangements after returning to Italy. Currently, various countries exhibit different approaches to surrogacy, with Italy and several other European nations maintaining strict bans, while some, like the US and Canada, recognize the rights of same-sex couples to engage in surrogacy.
The backlash against the newly passed law indicates a growing tension surrounding LGBT rights in Italy, as families fear the implications of a governing body increasingly aligned with far-right ideologies. Similar legislation enforce differing levels of restriction and acceptance across Europe, demonstrating the complexity and divisiveness surrounding issues of surrogacy and family rights.
Meloni, Italy's first female prime minister, has made clear her opposition to surrogacy, describing it as a "symbol of an abominable society" that equates desire with rights. Her political stance is influenced by her Christian values and the belief that children should be raised by a heterosexual couple. Critics assert that the law specifically targets LGBT families, who are already barred from adopting or using in vitro fertilization (IVF) within the country.
Despite assertions from lawmakers that the intention is to protect women's dignity and that most surrogacy cases involve heterosexual couples, experts suggest that this law disproportionately affects LGBTQ individuals who cannot easily conceal their family arrangements after returning to Italy. Currently, various countries exhibit different approaches to surrogacy, with Italy and several other European nations maintaining strict bans, while some, like the US and Canada, recognize the rights of same-sex couples to engage in surrogacy.
The backlash against the newly passed law indicates a growing tension surrounding LGBT rights in Italy, as families fear the implications of a governing body increasingly aligned with far-right ideologies. Similar legislation enforce differing levels of restriction and acceptance across Europe, demonstrating the complexity and divisiveness surrounding issues of surrogacy and family rights.
