Italy extends surrogacy ban to include foreign procedures
Italy has passed a law criminalizing citizens who seek surrogacy abroad extending a ban from 2004. The move affects all couples but is seen as particularly impactful for same-sex families in a country with low birth rates
On 10/16/24‚ Italy took a step that some call “medieval“ – it made it illegal for its citizens to go to other countries for surrogacy. This new rule builds on a ban thats been around since 04 (about twenty years ago).
The far-right Brothers of Italy party and its friend‚ the League‚ pushed for this law. They say its all about keeping womens dignity safe. After talking for seven hours the Senate said “yes“ to the bill with 84 people for it and 58 against it. The lower part of the government had already said “okay“ to it last year.
Now‚ if Italians try to have a surrogate baby in places like the U.S. or Canada (where its allowed) they could end up in jail for up to two years. Not only that‚ but they might have to pay up to 1 million euros: thats a lot of money!
While this rule is for everyone‚ some folks say it hits gay families extra hard. You see‚ Italyʼs having trouble with not enough babies being born‚ and only straight couples can adopt kids there. Gay marriages? Those arent allowed either. LGBTQ+ couples have been trying hard to get rights for the parent who isnt the bio mom or dad.
Some people who dont like this new rule stood outside the Senate with signs that said “Parents‚ not criminals“. Riccardo Magi‚ who doesnt agree with the government said‚ “When you try to stop something like this‚ it doesnt go away; it just hides in the dark where bad things can happen easier“.
Cristiano Giraldi‚ who has two 10-year-old kids born from a surrogate mom in the U.S.‚ was sad. He thinks Italy missed a chance to show its like other modern countries.
The Catholic Church isnt a fan of surrogacy – in Italy or anywhere else. The Pope wants it stopped everywhere. He doesnt like how pregnancy can be turned into a business. But heres a twist: the Vaticans rules say that even if gay parents use surrogacy‚ their kids can still get baptized.
In the U.S.‚ people can pay for surrogacy and there are rules to keep everyone safe. But in some parts of Europe like Spain and Italy‚ its a big no-no
This new law shows how Italy is different from some other places when it comes to families and having babies. Its stirred up a lot of talk about whats right and whats fair for all kinds of families
