Last but not least: how Italy finally legalized same-sex unions

Abstract

ABSTRACTLGBT+ issues and marriage equality have for long been taboo in predominantly Catholic Italy, although since the 2000s they had been the subject of public debate. This might partly explain why in 2016 the country was the last western European state to approve a law legalizing same-sex partnerships, although the literature has also focused on the influence of the Catholic Church on the Italian political system, and on the influence of ʻmorality politicsʼ on Italian public discussion. This paper will take into account this most recent wave of discussion, specifically revolving around the Cirinnà bill approved by the Italian parliament in 2016, seeking to analyse the main phases of the debate, the actors involved, and their choices of frames and arguments. The article aims at understanding the changes taking place – in terms of actors’ behaviour and frames – throughout the different phases of the debate on the Cirinnà bill, as well as in comparison with the previous waves of debate on LGBT+ rights in the 2000s and 2010s. The concluding remarks will argue that final approval of the law was made possible by a mix of different factors, particularly: a change in actors’ perceptions, with wider recognition of LGBT+ rights as human rights, even among opponents of the law; the different modalities of involvement of the Catholic Church, which also implied a change in choice of frames; and the ultimate determination of the Renzi cabinet to pass the law, whose approval had become increasingly crucial for the Government’s image.