Italy’s Constitutional Court just handed a major win to lesbian mothers, ruling that both women in a same-sex couple who undergo IVF abroad can be legally recognized as parents — even if one isn’t biologically related to the child. The groundbreaking decision rewrites a long-standing injustice baked into a 2004 law that previously allowed only one mother to be officially listed — and yes, it’s 2025.
This legal affirmation is more than just paperwork. It’s a seismic shift for LGBTQ families living under the pressure of a conservative government that’s done everything but tattoo “family = man + woman” on the national flag. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her allies have openly targeted what they call the “LGBT lobby,” but this ruling tells them: the courts aren’t buying it.
“This is a historic day,” said activist-turned-politician Marilena Grassadonia. She called the decision a moment that “restores dignity and serenity to the many rainbow families who live in our country.” And dignity is long overdue. Before this ruling, civil registries across Italy were left to make wildly inconsistent decisions — in some towns, both moms were listed on birth certificates, in others the non-biological mom got ghosted completely.
A Legal Reality Check for Italy’s Right Wing
The court blasted this chaos, saying it “violates the constitutional principles of equality and personal identity” — not to mention the basic rights of the child to receive care and love from both parents. It’s a reality check not just for local officials but for a government that has refused to reckon with the existence of queer families. The court’s opinion even called out lawmakers for failing to evolve with “a shifting social reality.”
But don’t pop the prosecco just yet — the decision doesn’t touch Italy’s current law that restricts IVF access to heterosexual couples. That remains firmly on the books. The court also upheld a ban on single women accessing IVF, though it left the door open for Parliament to change that if — and it’s a big if — the political will ever surfaces.
Still, the ruling sets a powerful precedent. It not only empowers same-sex couples but also sends a defiant message to the ruling coalition: LGBTQ families are not second-class citizens. And let’s be clear — this isn’t just about Italy. As countries across Europe flirt with right-wing populism, Italy’s court just gave a much-needed shout-out to human rights and queer parenthood.
For now, rainbow families across Italy can breathe a little easier knowing that the law — at least in this case — is finally catching up with love.