Italy Criminalizes Overseas Surrogacy, Sparking LGBTQ+ Rights Concerns

The new law, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, imposes severe penalties on Italians seeking surrogacy abroad, drawing criticism for targeting same-sex couples.

Italy's Senate passed a law making it illegal for citizens to engage in surrogacy abroad, with penalties of up to two years in prison and fines reaching €1 million.
The legislation extends a domestic ban on surrogacy from 2004, now classifying it as a 'universal crime' similar to genocide or terrorism.
Critics argue the law disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ families, as same-sex couples in Italy are already barred from adopting or using IVF.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government defends the law as protecting traditional family values and the dignity of women and children.
The law has ignited protests and backlash from LGBTQ+ rights groups, who view it as part of a broader conservative agenda against diverse family structures.