Italian Court Postpones Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

ITALY ROME PROTEST COLOSSEUM X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

The Constitutional Court in Italy has postponed a decision on same-sex marriage until mid April.

Civil rights leaders called the decision "a good sign."

Imma Battaglia of the Digay Project, Sergio Rovasio of Certain Rights, and Paul Patanè of Arcigay characterized it as "a decision filled with optimism," Gazzetta di Mantova reported.

The decision was expected to be delivered by Friday.

Gay rights are at the top of the country's legal news. as last week one of Italy's highest courts issued a ruling that states calling someone "gay" can be an insult if it's done with the intention to denigrate.

"The fact that the word is neutral doesn't mean it can't be used to offend," Patanè said. "If the intention is to hurt, to humiliate, and in doing so I add actions or other words, then it's an offense."

In Italy insulting someone is an offense that carries monetary fines.

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Val
Date posted: 3/26/2010 8:01:09 PM
Hometown: London, UK

Comment:
[2/2] When I say "you guys" that doesn't include you Jon, as we have established that you are in Toronto. I've already said that I'm not defending Britain's record, I'm making a point about PERCEIVED (I used this word) American arrogance and the attitudes of SOME Americans. The fact we all have faults doesn't make us all blameless. With this, hopefully we can close this unfortunate conversation.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Val
Date posted: 3/26/2010 8:00:19 PM
Hometown: London, UK

Comment:
[1/2] Guys, seriously, please read the chain of messages… I've replied to a specific comment claiming Italy was backwards based on the fact that you are able to sue for defamation and pointed out that some legislation in Italy is actually more progressive than in the US. You can find the message if you scroll down. I said SOME Americans don't bother to find out about what's going on in other countries referring to the kind who wrote that specific message. Jon, I know where Toronto is. The fact that you didn't insult another country is the clue that I wasn't referring to you. d, I have no "repugnance" towards Americans. Far from it. I'm sorry if I'm the first one to point out to you that 8 years of Bush administration haven't done wonders for the image of the US abroad and you guys are perceived to be a little trigger-happy and insular.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Jon
Date posted: 3/26/2010 6:42:12 PM
Hometown: Toronto

Comment:
Val, honestly did you not read my location? Toronto is in Canada. Also I never "attacked" another country and called it backwards. Just pointed out that you shouldn't put down Americans with a statement regarding bombing places before knowing enough because the UK (your country) is just as guilty. And I gotta say appearing not to know that Toronto is in Canada doesn't speak well to your knowledge about the world either. In any case here's hoping Italy sees same-sex marriage soon. Also has anyone heard where same-sex marriage sits in Nepal at this time?
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: d
Date posted: 3/26/2010 2:53:42 PM
Hometown: raleigh

Comment:
Ever have your government make stupid decisions. Did you blame fellow Brits for this. America is a BIG nation and has a diverse population. Some of us have traveled in 43 countries and never once encountered the repugnance you seem to feel towards the Ugly American. While you lump us all into one neat disliked package you should look toward your own problems involving economics, political unrest (i/e/ Muslimization) etc. and the Fall of the British Empire comes quickly to mind.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Val
Date posted: 3/26/2010 2:15:41 PM
Hometown: London, UK

Comment:
Interesting that no one who replied to my comment actually addressed the issues raised but preferred to attack the UK's track record. Did I make any statements that implied that I believed Britain to be a champion of world peace and called other countries backwards? I'm the first to recognise the faults of the UK or Italy or any country that I have a connection to. I'm just inviting those who call other countries backwards without knowing much about them to do some research first because it is a known fact that it's the Americans' perceived arrogance in the face of other countries' cultures that tarnishes their image abroad.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Stephen
Date posted: 3/26/2010 1:34:49 PM
Hometown: West Palm Beach

Comment:
I don't agree with calling Italy "backwards" relative to the US. The fact that Italy, at a "federal" level, is considering a ruling on gay marriage means that they are ahead of the US. This is underscored even more that Italy is doing this under the nose of the p3doph*le-protecting RC pope. However, only 5 states in the US allow SSM, and most states are against it. The US is mostly influenced by the Evangelical Taliban and probably has a long way to go before SSM get this far.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Alex
Date posted: 3/26/2010 10:53:46 AM
Hometown: the Haque

Comment:
some people here are calling Italy backward ????? Funny that those people are from a country that know 40 years after most of the world starts taking care of it's peoples health !!!. Moreover allows people to own guns !
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: michaelandfred
Date posted: 3/26/2010 10:23:03 AM
Hometown: miami beach

Comment:
It's an interesting topic. I lived in Germany for over 20 years and they have similar laws. I think most of Europe does. The idea that words can inflict as much, or longer lasting, pain and suffering has been an accepted concept in Europe for a long time. While we cherish the "free speech" right of someone to terrorize another with words, this kind of discourse is seen far less in Europe. Just like there is no right to punch someone in the face because you feel like it. Although I have seen these laws used in the most ludicrous ways, but aren't they all? Free speech shouldn't mean the ability to generate fear, intolerance or psychological trauma. Teen suicide from bullying is a prime example. Words are often enough. In a civilized society we should be able to debate or express our disapproval, "free speech", without resorting to hate speech. Being continuously called a f*ggot by people is just as terrifying, and often leaves deeper scars, than actually just getting into the fight.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Jon
Date posted: 3/26/2010 10:21:03 AM
Hometown: Toronto

Comment:
Val, no offense but the UK went into Iraq too so I don't know where you get off making the statement of knowing about a country before bombing.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: d
Date posted: 3/26/2010 9:46:22 AM
Hometown: raleigh

Comment:
Val...been to the Falklands lately Bud?

PREVIOUS 1 2 NEXT

Don't Miss

News Features WATCH: Son Defends Two Moms in Prop. 8 Case
Seventeen-year-old Spencer Perry is the latest of a number of young people who are standing up for their gay and lesbian parents and showing that the kids are all right, no matter what politicians might say.

Commentary Op-ed: Our Groups Need More Color in Their Rainbow

LGBT organizations need more racially diverse leaders, and there are a number of resolvable reasons why they are now lacking, argues Jimmy Nguyen.

News WATCH: Dustin Lance Black on Prop. 8, Election 2012
Dustin Lance Black, the screenwriter and founding board member for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, spoke to The Advocate after an appeals court called Prop. 8 unconstitutional.

Commentary Op-ed: Disliking Us Is No Longer a Legal Rationale

What the appeals court judges said in their ruling on Proposition 8’s constitutionality will have far-reaching consequences, and that has our opponents freaking out.

Television World’s First Openly Gay Royal Is on Fairy Tale Search for Love
India's gay Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil was burned in effigy when he surprised his countrymen and came out. Now he's going undercover to find love on a new reality show on TLC.

News Features Filmmakers Work for Marriage Equality
Instead of the typical campaign commercials advocating against antigay ballot initiatives like North Carolina's Amendment 1, Working Films is going deeper to show how these laws harm families.

Commentary Op-ed: Why We Are Fighting Meth

The executive producers for the Hollywood Rush witnessed a friend’s struggle with the drug and are trying to do something about it.

Music The Advocate Editors' Personal Madonna Moments
In honor of our March cover subject, we're sharing our own Madonna recollections, including getting nearly trampled by her fans and receiving correspondence from the lady herself.

Commentary Advice: Two Weddings, Two Sets of Gifts?
One groom-to-be asks what to do if you've already been married once before, but not "gay-married." Is it taboo to ask friends for wedding gifts again?

Television Housewives' Kyle Loves You, But Hands Off Her Mauricio
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards tells us about fending off gay advances toward her husband and receiving come-ons from lesbians.

News Quinn to Christie: Stop “Playing Games” With Marriage
New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn said that Gov. Chris Christie appears to be playing a “political game” with his call for a marriage equality referendum in New Jersey.

News Prop. 8 Recordings Could Still Be Made Public ... in 2020
Court rules mandate that documents filed under seal become public 10 years after a decision in the case — unless a legal party shows “good cause” as to why they should remain out of the public’s hands.

Best of Broadway Smash: Why You Will Love It
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, two of the producers of NBC’s new critically acclaimed musical series, explain why the backstage drama of creating a musical about Marilyn Monroe has mass appeal and why big stars like Anjelica Huston, Uma Thurman, Bernadette Peters, and Nick Jonas were eager to appear in it.

Best of Broadway The Advocate Staff Remembers: Best of Broadway
The staff of The Advocate turns back the pages of time and shares their favorite Broadway memories. We asked for yours earlier so it only seemed fair that we share, too.

Best of Broadway Sometimes a Hat Makes a Big Difference
Who has the best Easter bonnet? It's just another of the unexpected ways that Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS raises money for the cause.

News Psychedelic Queen of Pop (Art)
The March 2012 issue of The Advocate kicks off our 45th anniversary by paying homage to its birth year, 1967.

Best of Broadway Dressing Felicia: Priscilla's Costume Designer Talks Shop
Costume designer Tim Chappel shares private sketches with The Advocate of his work on The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and gives the behind-the-scenes scoop on that flip-flop dress.

Best of Broadway How Broadway Does a Flea Market
Find out why actress Kathleen Chalfant calls the annual Flea Market and Grand Auction in Times Square "the most glamorous flea market you've ever seen." It raised half a million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS.

Best of Broadway Especially for You, It All Goes Backwards on Broadway
Here's your chance to hear the best of Broadway sung with you in mind at the annual Broadway Backwards event.

Best of Broadway You Picked: Broadway's Best Moments
We asked for your most loved and loathed moments from the Broadway stage. Here are eight of our reader's favorite musical moments, plus two that were not so well received.

Travel Gayest Cities in America, 2012
It's no secret that megalopolises New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles have robust LGBT life — and we've even heard tell of little queer hoods like the Castro and P-Town. This isn't that list.

Business Best Companies List: Who Is on Your Side?
The Human Rights Campaign released its newly updated Corporate Equality Index today. Here's the complete list of companies that scored 100% for being LGBT-friendly.