October 17th 2024.
The recent passing of a new law in Italy has sparked controversy and dismay within the LGBTQ+ community. The law, which was introduced by conservative politician Carolina Varchi, criminalizes the act of seeking surrogacy abroad. This is a major blow to the gay community who already face obstacles in their journey to starting a family, as surrogacy is already illegal in Italy.
Under this new legislation, anyone who attempts to seek surrogacy abroad could face severe consequences such as hefty fines and even imprisonment, according to the New York Times. The conservative government defends their decision by claiming that surrogacy exploits women, but this reasoning has only sparked outrage and protest.
This law not only affects the LGBTQ+ community, but also heterosexual couples who are unable to conceive naturally. In Italy, only heterosexual families are allowed to adopt children, leaving those in the LGBTQ+ community without any options to start a family.
The passing of this bill has left many individuals, such as Cristiano Giraldi, a father to two 10-year-old children born through surrogacy in the United States, feeling saddened and disappointed. Giraldi expressed his disappointment, stating that Italy has once again missed an opportunity to show that it is a country in line with the rest of Europe and the world.
The new law has been deemed as "monstrous" by Franco Grillini, who believes that having a child should be celebrated, not punished. He also points out that no other country in the world has such a law in place.
Protestors have taken to the streets, carrying signs that read "we are families, not crimes," showing their opposition to this new law. Surrogacy is already banned in France, Germany, and Spain, but the declining birth rates across the globe have raised concerns for the future of these countries.
Even Pope Francis has addressed the issue of declining birth rates in Italy, urging couples to have more children instead of buying pets. He believes that the future of Italy depends on the creation of new life and encourages couples to not give in to pessimism.
It is clear that this new law has caused division and unrest within Italy and has brought attention to the declining birth rates in the country. The passing of this bill is seen as a missed opportunity for Italy to show support and acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community and to address the issue of declining birth rates in a more positive and inclusive manner.
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