Record number of recommendations to Italy on LGBTI rights at the UN: Recognition of same-sex families, anti-discrimination law, and ban on reparative therapies top the list.
Bologna, February 3, 2025 The fourth cycle of Italy's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) concluded on January 20, 2025, with a historic result: the highest number of recommendations ever received on the human rights of LGBTI people. During the session held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Italy received 19 specific recommendations, addressing crucial issues such as the ban on so-called "reparative therapies," the legal recognition of same-sex families, the ban on surgical interventions on intersex children, and combating hate crimes and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
This extraordinary achievement is the fruit of the tireless work of a coalition of LGBTI organizations including Associazione Radicale Certi Diritti, IntersexEsiste, Famiglie Arcobaleno, and Arcigay, which have conducted extensive international advocacy, providing detailed information to diplomatic missions in Geneva and raising specific questions with the Italian government.
Among the most significant recommendations put forward by UN member countries are full legal recognition of same-sex couples and their children, including equal marriage and adoption rights, a ban on "reparative therapies," and the introduction of a law against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity into the penal code.
“The record number of recommendations and requests submitted demonstrates the international community's concern about the state of LGBTI human rights in Italy. The steady erosion of protections and the lack of concrete commitment to combating discrimination and violence have led a growing number of states to put pressure on Italy, placing the country under increasingly critical scrutiny.”, declare Yuri Guaiana, Secretary of the Radical Association Certain Rights, Gabriele Piazzoni, Secretary General of Arcigay, Alessia Crocini, President of Famiglie Arcobaleno and Manuela Falzone of IntersexEsiste.
