Italy’s Controversial Surrogacy Ban: A New Era for Family Planning
As a news reporter on the ground in Rome, I’ve witnessed firsthand the heated debate surrounding Italy’s latest legislative move. The Italian Parliament has just passed a law that’s sending shockwaves through the country and beyond.
Let’s delve into this contentious issue and explore its implications for families, both domestically and internationally.
On Wednesday, Italian lawmakers voted to make it illegal for couples to seek surrogacy services outside the country. This new rule extends the existing ban on surrogacy within Italy to include those who travel abroad for the procedure. The consequences? Offenders face heavy fines of up to €1 million and possible jail terms of up to two years.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party pushed for this law. They claim it’s about protecting women and upholding traditional family values. But critics argue it’s a thinly veiled attack on LGBTQ+ couples, who often rely on surrogacy to start families.
Senator Lavinia Mennuni, a member of Meloni’s party, stated during the debate, “Motherhood is unique and can’t be substituted. It’s the foundation of our civilization.” She added that the law aims to “stop surrogacy tourism.”
But not everyone sees it that way. Franco Grillini, a long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist, voiced his frustration at a protest outside the Senate. “If someone has a baby, they should get a medal,” he said. “Instead, you’re sent to jail if you don’t have children the traditional way.”
The new law hits especially hard in a country already grappling with a shrinking population. Italy’s birth rate has been dropping for 15 straight years, reaching a record low in 2023. Some argue that making it harder for people to become parents goes against the country’s need for more children.
Italy has already banned surrogacy. This new rule takes things a step further by punishing those who seek the service elsewhere. Countries like the U.S. and Canada, where surrogacy is legal, have been popular destinations for Italian couples unable to have children naturally.
Alessia Crocini, who heads the Rainbow Families organization, points out an important detail. She says that while 90% of Italians using surrogacy are straight couples, they often keep it secret. This means the new ban will mostly affect gay couples, who can’t hide the fact that they’ve used a surrogate.
The move fits into Meloni’s broader conservative agenda. She has made it clear since taking office in 2022 that she believes only a man and a woman should raise children. Her government has already taken steps to limit the rights of same-sex parents, like stopping Milan’s city council from registering children of gay couples.
Meloni herself has strong words on the subject. Meloni refers to surrogacy as “a symbol of a terrible society that mixes up desire with rights and replaces God with money.” Her deputy, Matteo Salvini, went even further, labeling the practice an “aberration” that treats women like “ATMs.”
But supporters of surrogacy argue that it gives hope to those who can’t have children otherwise. They say the ban unfairly targets LGBTQ+ couples, who already face barriers to adoption and IVF treatments in Italy.
The new law puts Italy at odds with some other European countries. While nations like Spain, France, and Germany also ban all forms of surrogacy, others take a more nuanced approach. The UK, for example, allows surrogacy but prohibits commercial arrangements. Greece accepts foreign couples but requires a woman to be part of the relationship, effectively excluding gay male couples.
As this law takes effect, many questions remain. How will it be enforced? What about Italian couples who’ve already started the surrogacy process abroad? Perhaps most importantly, how will the surrogacy process affect the lives of the children born through it?
One thing is clear: this controversial move has sparked intense debate about family, rights, and the role of government in personal decisions. As Italy grapples with these complex issues, the world watches closely to see how this bold stance on surrogacy will play out in the years to come.