In Italy thousands of kids may become officially parentless soon

In an ongoing trial in Padua, northern Italy, the names of non-biological parents on the birth certificates of dozens of same-sex couples’ children may face removal, a decision expected later this month. Last June, a state prosecutor in Padua urged the cancellation of 33 birth certificates issued to same-sex couples’ children in the city since 2017. Couples like Valentina Bagnara and Daniela Ghiotto expressed shock and concern about the potential impact on their two-year-old daughter. The initiative follows the stance of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which advocates for children to be raised by heterosexual parents, pushing for the exclusive registration of biological parents by councils. In a Sky News report, Daniela, a non-biological mother, was quoted highlighting the potential consequences, stating, “If my name is deleted, I would require Valentina’s written authorization for essential tasks, such as picking her up from school or attending a doctor’s appointment.” LGBT+ rights activists argue that this trial underscores the discrimination faced by same-sex parents in Italy, a situation exacerbated by the absence of a national law safeguarding the rights of such children. Since 2018, some LGBT-friendly city councils nationwide exploited this legal gap, listing same-gender parents on birth certificates. Jacopo Coghe, spokesperson for Pro Vita e Famiglia, criticized this practice as “fundamentally illegal,” emphasizing their opposition to children being raised without a paternal figure. The trial in Padua has gained national attention, prompting social media campaigns with the hashtag #iosonoapadova (#I’mInPadua). Legal experts, including Susanna Lollini, defending couples in the trial, argue that passing a law protecting children of same-sex couples would eradicate the stigma against LGBT families. As the trial approaches its conclusion, it highlights the need for comprehensive legal protection for same-sex parents and their children across Italy.