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In an 84-58 vote on Wednesday, the Italian parliament passed a bill banning residents from conceiving a child via surrogacy in foreign countries.

Reuters

A national ban on surrogacy has been in place for two decades, with the latest extension carrying penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to €1M ($1.1M).

BBC News

In the lead-up to the vote, opponents rallied outside the Senate on Tuesday, arguing that the legislation will mostly affect LGBTQ+ couples. While Italy has recognized same-sex civil unions since 2016, it prohibits same-sex marriages.

ABC News

According to Rainbow Families President Alessia Crocini, 90% of Italian surrogacy recipients are heterosexual couples who do it covertly.

US News & World Report

This comes as Italy experiences a low birth rate. Last year marked the 15th straight year of declining birth rates, with 379K births — a 3.6% decrease from 2022 and around 35% lower than in 2008.

Forbes

CBS News #1580

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.

Forbes #3262

Surrogacy has no place in Italy. In fact, there should be an universal crime, as surrogacy is an inhuman practice. Renting an uterus is not like any other supermarket product that you can buy over-the-counter. The new legislation will criminalize italians who pursue surrogacy in countries where it is legal. The Italian government is in line with the Catholic Church when it comes to surragacy.

Surrogacy is already outlawed in Italy. Meloni's post-fascist government has sought to impose yet another crackdown on LGBT families, and this bill makes it nearly impossible for gay men to have children. Italy already ranks low in Europe for civil freedoms. Making it unlawful for Italians to start a family through surrogacy overseas will not help Italy's standing.

The New York Times

The New York Times #

Italy Passes Law Banning People From Seeking Surrogacy Abroad

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Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

Italy

Legislation

Babies

Surrogacy has no place in Italy. Besides the very real risks that this practice poses to women and children's health, it also raises serious ethical concerns: It commodifies human life, completely disregards children's well-being, and often exploits women in vulnerable situations. This legislation shows that the Italian government is in line with the Catholic Church.

Vatican News

Holy See organizes meeting focusing on the abolition of surrogacy

The Heritage Foundation

How Surrogacy Harms Women and Children

Despite surrogacy already being outlawed in Italy, Meloni's government has sought to impose yet another crackdown on LGBTQ+ families, and this bill makes it nearly impossible for gay men to have children. Italy already ranks low in Europe in terms of civil freedoms. Making it unlawful for Italians to start a family through surrogacy overseas will not help Italy's standing.

Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

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Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

Italy Outlaws Overseas Surrogacy

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Metaculus Prediction

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