Italy bans overseas surrogacy, targeting same-sex couples

On October 16, the Italian Senate passed a bill extending the ban on surrogacy by a vote of 84-58, after the lower house approved it last year.

Under the law, Italians who go abroad to use surrogates can face up to two years in prison and fines of up to €1 million.

People hold a banner reading "we are families, not criminals" during a pro-surrogacy march in Rome, April 5. Photo: AP

The surrogacy ban applies equally to all couples, but many say it hits same-sex families particularly hard, especially in a country struggling with a record low birth rate and where only heterosexual couples are allowed to adopt.

Same-sex marriage is also banned in Italy, and LGBT couples have fought to gain parental rights for partners who are not the child's biological parents.

Several LGBT lawmakers and activists protested outside the Italian Senate against the law. “We are saddened that Italy has once again missed the opportunity to prove itself as a country that is relevant to Europe and the world,” said Cristiano Giraldi, father of two 10-year-olds born to a surrogate mother in the United States.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/y-cam-ra-nuoc-ngoai-nho-nguoi-mang-thai-ho-nham-muc-tieu-vao-cac-cap-doi-dong-gioi-post317276.html