Italy Approves Same-Sex Civil Unions

Italian Parliament has given final approval to a law recognizing civil unions of same-sex couples after a decades-long fight for gay rights. Nearly every Western country had legalized same-sex marriage or some form of civil union at this point, but Italy had long been a notable exception, much in part to its steadfast Roman Catholic tradition. The law, however, does fall short of full marriage rights, and someone in a same-sex civil union will still not be able to legally adopt his or her partner’s biological child. That being said, the historic vote was met with thunderous applause in Parliament, street celebrations in Rome and hope for continued progress.