“"We gladly accept Romano Prodi's invitation to the Fabbrica del Programma to discuss a law on the legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples that would also bring Italy into the ranks of modern European states.".
This is the first response from the national president of Arcigay Sergio Lo Giudice to the statements that appeared today on Evening Courier in which – for the first time – the leader of the Union agrees to the recognition of the rights of de facto couples, including homosexual ones.
“In Italy — Lo Giudice specifies – We have not proposed the extension of marriage to homosexual couples but responsible mediation: a model, that of a distinct and different legal institution, currently applied in eleven European countries. We ask that same-sex couples be recognized as having precise legal status from which derive those mutual rights and duties that Prodi himself has indicated as "concrete interventions" to be activated: mutual healthcare assistance, measures in the fiscal and inheritance fields."“
""Prodi's words – concludes the president of Arcigay – They show that the search for concrete solutions to people's real problems can be pursued without ideological opposition, clearly speaking the language of modern reformism.".
There are 13 European states that already recognize same-sex unions, in various forms.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Finland, Hungary, France, Great Britain, Germany, Iceland, Portugal they have resorted to institutions other than marriage.
The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain, instead, they extended civil marriage to same-sex couples.
Italian gay and lesbian organizations are calling for the adoption of the French model of Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS), the subject of several proposed laws already under discussion in the Justice Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.
30 de facto couples – homosexual and heterosexual – will symbolically unite in a Civil Pact of Solidarity, at the Sala del Carroccio in the Campidoglio, in Rome, on the occasion of the “PACS Day” promoted by Arcigay and Arcilesbica. The next May 21st.
The June 4th to Milan will take place on National LGBT Pride entitled “PACS! Clear agreements, long-lasting friendships.”.
COUPLES DONE: ARCIGAY, PRODI MUST COME TO PACS DAY CEREMONY
IT WILL BE HELD ON MAY 21ST AT THE CAPITOL IN ROME
ROME, APRIL 25 – Arcigay invites the leader of the Union, Romano Prodi, 'following his latest statements in favor of the protection of de facto couples, including homosexual ones', to meet the couples who will unite in the Campidoglio, in Rome, on May 21st, in the 'Pacs da', a symbolic event to urge the adoption in Italy of the law on civil cohabitation pacts.
City councilors from across Italy officiated the ceremony, wearing rainbow armbands, a symbol of both gay rights and civil rights. All unmarried couples who wish to participate are invited to the PACS Day. The proposed law on PACS, currently stalled in the Chamber of Deputies, according to Arcigay, "would put an end to multiple forms of discrimination, which border on violations of human rights and generate serious and unnecessary social costs." To understand the concrete impact the PACS law would have on so many lives, Arcigay shares some testimonies.
Claudio Bassi and Peter Favini, A homosexual couple from Milan would like to speak with Prodi about the problems faced by those who, after living with a partner for perhaps thirty years, are then denied the right to assist their dying partner in hospital.
Alessandra Capuano and Alberto Fofi, a heterosexual couple from Naples, would like to discuss with the leader of the Union the issues that affect de facto couples, such as the prohibition, if one is not married, on leaving one's assets as an inheritance to the person with whom one has shared one's life.
Odette Rouillard, a Canadian lesbian who lives in Ancona with her partner, would like Prodi to support the PACS, 'with which I could at least obtain a residence permit immediately and citizenship after 5 years of legal residence'. (HANDLE)
