Civil unions, ten years of light and shadow: Piazzoni (Arcigay), "It was supposed to be a first step, but it was a setback."“
Over 30,000 couples have married, but same-sex marriage and full parenthood are still lacking. "This government has even attempted to limit the few and troubled rights available."“
Bologna, May 11, 2026 Ten years ago, on May 11, 2016, Italy took a historic step: the Cirinnà law on civil unions was approved. "Over 30,000 same-sex couples, including the registration of marriages performed abroad," says Gabriele Piazzoni, general secretary of Arcigay, "have had their relationship recognized. But ten years on, our assessment is grim. What should have been a first step toward full equality has instead, seen from today's perspective, been a setback, even with some attempts at reversal. We remember that this very government, with the Piantedosi circular, attempted to limit the already few and troubled rights regarding the recognition of the children of same-sex couples. And that this Parliament passed a law defining surrogacy as a universal crime, launching a veritable witch hunt for those—homosexual or heterosexual—who resorted to this practice abroad. From the battle for civil unions, during those roaring months, we remember first and foremost the people, the community that mobilized in over a hundred squares to sound the alarm to the Italian Parliament. That law with first Signatory Monica Cirinnà, ten years ago, tore a veil, but since then the journey has stopped. Equal marriage is missing, as are stepchild adoption and full recognition of parenthood, which would free boys and girls from the hateful discrimination of the Italian state; medically assisted procreation is missing, and, more generally, A family law reform capable of representing real society. Let's be clear: civil unions have certainly marked a profound cultural turning point, since for the first time the Italian state has recognized our relationships and our families. But this anniversary also speaks to our country's backwardness: while in Italy we are celebrating ten years of civil unions, in the Netherlands we are already celebrating twenty-five years of equal marriage. It's a bitter realization that shows how far behind Italy still is in terms of rights and how we can no longer delay,” concludes Piazzoni.
