An estimated 300,000 people have gathered in Rome to protest against legislation which would create same-sex civil partnerships, including adoption rights.
Protesters came from across the country to attend “Family Day” and held up signs reading, ‘What’s wrong is wrong even if it becomes law’ and ‘Children have a right to both a father and mother’.
The Italian Parliament has been considering the Bill since last year and is expected to vote on it this month.
Adoption
The Bill contains a clause which would allow homosexual people to adopt the biological children of their partner.
One protester said, “we think the family has great value and this law can destroy it”.
Another said: “The traditional family is based exclusively on a man and a woman. We don’t want to deprive children of the right to have a father and a mother.”
Opposition
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is trying to push through the plans, but he has faced strong opposition within his coalition Government.
His environment minister, Gian Luca Galletti, attended the rally and his interior minister, Angelino Alfano, put out a message of support for it on Twitter.
Italy is the only Western European country which does not allow civil partnerships or same-sex marriage.