Italy’s parliament has passed a law prohibiting couples from traveling abroad for surrogacy, a move driven by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, which critics argue is aimed at same-sex couples. Since assuming office in 2022, Meloni has pushed a conservative social agenda to reinforce traditional family values, making it increasingly difficult for LGBTQ couples to gain legal parental status.
On Wednesday, the upper house of parliament approved the bill, proposed by Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party, with a vote of 84 to 58. The lower house had already passed the measure last year. The new law extends a 2004 ban on surrogacy in Italy to include those who seek the practice in countries like the United States or Canada, where it is legal, with penalties of up to two years in prison and fines reaching €1 million (£836,000).
During the parliamentary debate, Brothers of Italy senator Lavinia Mennuni argued, “Motherhood is absolutely unique, it cannot be outsourced, and it forms the foundation of our civilization. We aim to eliminate surrogacy tourism.”
Earlier this year, Meloni described surrogacy as an “inhuman” act that treats children like products, echoing the stance of the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday, protesters gathered near the senate to express their disapproval of the bill, accusing the government of targeting LGBTQ people and harming those wishing to have children, amid a backdrop of Italy’s declining birthrate. Franco Grillini, a veteran LGBTQ rights advocate, said, “If someone has a baby, they should be celebrated, not criminalized for not doing it the traditional way.”
Alessia Crocini, president of Rainbow Families, pointed out that 90% of Italians opting for surrogacy are heterosexual couples, who mostly do so discreetly. This new law, she argued, would primarily impact gay couples who cannot conceal their intentions.
The surrogacy crackdown occurs as Italy grapples with a falling birthrate, with ISTAT reporting in March a record low in births for 2023, marking the 15th straight year of decline. Grillini labeled the law “monstrous,” adding, “No other country has anything like this.”
