The Mayor of Turin, Sergio Chiamparino, became the first Italian politician to formalise a same-sex commitment in a symbolic ceremony, last week.
The couple, Antonella D’Annibale and Deborah Galbiati Ventrella, contacted the Mayor and requested his participation in the ceremony, hoping it would help raise awareness on the political issues gay couples face in Italy.
The women, who have been together for nine years, are - under current domestic law - not permitted to marry. “This event has a great deal of symbolic and political value, but most importantly, it’s our wedding,” they announced.
Chiamparino's involvement comes just weeks away from the Court’s decision on whether councils have the right to refuse to recognise same-sex unions. Speaking after the ceremony, he declared: “I think it’s time for Italy to create an institution beside that of marriage so as to grant us with a law that puts us on the same level with more evolved European countries.”
He went on to say: “These are two people who love each other and only wish to have their commitment recognised, but in Italy this is cannot be done in full or in the face of the public. That’s not acceptable. No, you are not second class citizens. If it helps, I am happy to be here: it is the duty of those holding public responsibilities.”