The city of Milan has made a resolute move in support of LGBT+ rights by resuming the registration of children born abroad to male couples, in defiance of restrictions imposed by the right-wing national government. Earlier this year, the government took measures to prevent local authorities from registering the children of same-sex parents, a decision that triggered protests from LGBT+ activists concerned about the conservative policies of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Seeking alternatives after the ban, Milan approached the interior ministry, seeking approval to at least register the newborns under their biological father. The city’s efforts bore fruit as it received the green light on Thursday. This breakthrough could serve as a template for other Italian cities to follow suit.
Overcoming Adoption Hurdles
The interior ministry’s previous stance had left male couples with limited options to gain legal recognition as parents. Couples with children born abroad faced the arduous process of adoption, leaving their newborns without legal parental rights until the court granted approval. In March, the local arm of the interior ministry informed Milan that it could no longer register children of male parents without the court’s adoption approval.
However, with the recent clarification from the ministry, Milan now has the means to circumvent this restrictive veto. While one parent can be recognized as the biological father, the other parent is still left without legal rights and would be required to go through the adoption process.
A Long Struggle for LGBT+ Recognition
Italy took a step forward in 2016 by legalizing same-sex civil unions, a move that faced opposition from conservative and Catholic groups. Despite this progress, adoption rights were withheld, primarily due to concerns over surrogate pregnancies, which are still considered illegal in the country. In the absence of clear legislation, some cities, including Milan, had been registering births to same-sex couples who sought surrogate mothers abroad.
Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed his appreciation for the recent decision, hailing it as a positive step forward in the journey towards greater LGBT+ rights and recognition in Italy. The move marks a milestone for Milan and sets an example for other cities to assert their commitment to inclusivity and equality.