ITALY: Civil Unions Bill Advances

By a vote of 14-8 Italy's Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced a civil unions bill that would also allow gay couples to adopt each others' children and visit each other in the hospital. Outside adoptions by same-sex couples would remain banned. Same-sex marriages conducted legally in foreign countries would be recognized domestically as civil unions. The bill is opposed by Forza Italia, the party headed by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is currently banned from holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges. Forza Italia holds 66 out of 315 seats in the full Senate. (Tipped by JMG reader Andrea)

ITALY: Anti-Gay Former PM Silvio Berlusconi Sentenced To Prison

ITALY: Former Prime Minister Berlusconi Claims To Support Gay Marriage

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has a long track record of vile homophobic statements, has promised to support same-sex marriage if he is returned to power. LGBT groups, unsurprisingly, are skeptical. Via Gay Star News:

Monday Berlusconi said: "I’m in favor of granting legal status to couples who live together, including gays, if there is a majority that makes it possible to change the civil code." But Italy’s gay groups are expressing concern and "disillusion." Fabrizio Marrazzo, Gay Center’s leader, said: "The three governments Berlusconi led between 1994 and 2011 did nothing for LGBT people. Concrete proposals are certainly necessary." Leading LGBT association Arcigay’s president Flavio Romani said: "I have legitimate suspicions about such a sudden change of course. Berlusconi should put his pledge in black and white." Enrico Oliari, president of a right-wing LGBT association, welcomed Berlusconi’s remarks: "Berlusconi’s opening-up over the recognition of gay couples is a piece of news you cannot fail to take account of."

Berlusconi resigned in November 2011 amid Italy's debt crisis.