CBS News

Babies carried by surrogates stuck in bomb shelter in Ukraine as war escalates

On Wednesday, the Italian parliament made it illegal for couples to travel abroad for surrogacy, a pet project of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party that activists claim targets same-sex partners.

Reuters

The ban now includes individuals who travel to countries where it is legal, such as the US or Canada. Lawbreakers could face two years in prison and a fine of €1M ($1.1M).

BBC News

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy party presented the legislation. Meloni said in April that she "continues to believe that surrogacy is an inhuman practice" and that she "supports the bill that makes it a universal crime."

According to Rainbow Families President Alessia Crocini, 90% of Italian surrogacy recipients are heterosexual couples who do it in secret; therefore, the new law will mainly impact homosexual couples who cannot disguise it.

US News & World Report

Italian law prohibits same-sex marriages, and LGBTQ+ couples have long fought for parental rights. Pope Francis has called for a universal ban on surrogacy and denounced the “commercialization” of pregnancy.

ABC News

The suggestion comes as Italy struggles with a low birth rate. Last year marked the 15th straight year of declining birth rates. In 2023, Italy had 379K births, a 3.6% decrease from 2018 and around 35% lower than in 2008.

Italy makes it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad

Italy makes it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Italy makes it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad

Italy makes it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters