Italy’s LGBTQ community and allies gathered outside the Italian embassy today, raising their voices against the recent assault on parental rights by the far-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Lesbians Are Mothers Too protest, organized by the EuroCentralAsian Lesbian Community (ELC), Stonewall, LGBT Mummies, and the podcast From Gay to Ze, aimed to spotlight the discriminatory actions taken by the government.
Meloni’s administration recently announced troubling measures targeting same-sex couples and their children. This includes the decision to no longer register the children of same-sex couples on birth certificates, leading to the cancellation and re-issuance of 33 birth certificates for children of lesbian couples. Human Rights Watch reported on this concerning development.
The consequences of this move are far-reaching. Children’s access to essential services, such as medical care and education, now hinges on the mother listed on their birth certificate, forcing the non-listed parent to obtain permission for parental rights. This decision has left LGBTQ families vulnerable and anxious about their children’s well-being.
During the protest, activists chanted “Viva la mamma lesbica” (Long live the lesbian mother) and “Mamma mia,” while carrying signs that declared, “Lesbian mothers deserve parental rights” and “What a load of baloney, Meloni.” Their unified message was clear: LGBTQ families are legitimate and deserve equal rights and recognition.
One protester, Katy Mezey, shared her perspective as a mother in a same-sex relationship, emphasizing that their families are built on love and should not be torn apart by political decisions. “Sometimes it can feel fragile when you make a family in your own way, to imagine someone ripping it away, the kind of damage it would do psychologically,” Mezey expressed.
Another protester, Italian mother Chiara Luxardo, who faced difficulties registering her daughter in the UK due to the biological mother being British, highlighted the importance of international support. She said, “It means so much to see the international community mobilize, support, and raise awareness of what is happening in Italy. I am saying this on behalf of many others: it’s important to feel that we’re not alone.”
Laura-Rose Thorogood, the founder of LGBT Mummies, called Meloni’s actions discriminatory and violated human rights. She warned that this move could lead to the exclusion and erasure of LGBTQ+ families and urged the community to unite against such injustices.
Stu Oakley, a gay adoptive father, emphasized the need for solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community and the alarming nature of having rights stripped away. He warned that this might be just the beginning of a series of rights being revoked, potentially even affecting same-sex marriage.
As the international community watches these developments in Italy, LGBTQ families continue to endure hardships and uncertainty. It is a stark reminder of the importance of advocating for equal rights and protections for LGBTQ parents and their children worldwide.
Sources:
- Billson, C., & Billson, C. (2023). Protestors rally in London over Italy’s stripping of lesbian mums from birth certificates. PinkNews | Latest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans News | LGBTQ+ News.
- Rudolph, D. (2023, August 14). Queer Parents fight back as Italy strips rights | Opinion. Out South Florida.
- Image Credit: Filippo Monteforte