Italy Will Now Allow Lesbian Couples Who Got Pregnant Abroad Using IVF To Both Be Legal Parents Of Their Child
Previously, the non-biological mother who didn't carry the baby had to undergo a complex adoption process that could take years.
Italy will now allow lesbian couples who got pregnant abroad using in vitro fertilization or IVF to both be legal parents of their child.
In Italy, same-sex couples are banned from accessing IVF, prompting many couples seek it abroad to start a family.
However, the non-biological mother who didn't carry the baby, still had to undergo a complex adoption process that could take years just to be listed as a mother on her child’s birth certificate.
This meant that non-biological mothers were unable to take their child to the doctor without the other mother's permission and could even lose access to their child if they broke up with their partner or if their partner died.
But on May 22nd, Italy's top court ruled that the law violated children’s rights to receive care, education and emotional support from both parents.
It also found it violated the parents' rights to equality and personal identity.
The historic win comes at a time when far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has been rolling back LGBTQ rights in the country.
However, the ruling does not apply to gay male couples, with only the biological dad being recognized.
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