Rome, 26 February 2014 – A meeting took place today between a delegation of the Democratic Party, represented by Davide Faraone, of the national secretariat responsible for schools and welfare, and parliamentarians Lumia, Lo Giudice and Scalfarotto, signatories of proposed laws on the issues of “equal marriage and civil unions”, and Paola Concia of the National Directorate of the Democratic Party with the national LGBT associations Arcigay, ArciLesbica, Certi Diritti, Equality Italia, Agedo, Famiglie Arcobaleno, MIT Movimento Identità Transsessuale.
On this occasion, the Associations reiterated their firm demand that civil marriage be extended to all citizens, including same-sex couples.
The Democratic Party has confirmed its support for a bill based on the "German model," an institution equivalent to marriage that includes property rights and stepchild adoption, or the right to adoption by the non-biological parent of children born to a same-sex couple.
LGBT associations have acknowledged the Democratic Party's position, which has also expressed its willingness to engage with them, but have forcefully emphasized that rights are non-negotiable and non-compromised, and that any proposed law must first and foremost address the concrete needs of LGBT people and the legal dignity of their couples.
Following Scelta Civica and PD, LGBT Associations will continue meetings with the political forces that have presented legislative proposals in Parliament.
Fiorenzo Gimelli – Agedo
Flavio Romani – Arcigay
Giuliana Ruoti – ArciLesbica
Yuri Guaiana – Associazione Radicale Certi Diritti
Aurelio Mancuso – Equality Italy
Luca Possenti – Rainbow Families
Cathy La Torre – MIT Transgender Identity Movement
