Local Civil Union Registries
As of 2009, 33 municipalities and cities throughout Italy have introduced civil union registries (registro delle unioni civili) which formally recognise same-sex couples. These registers mostly have a symbolic value and are not legally binding, even though in some cases they offer very limited local benefits. Major cities which offer civil union registries include Bologna, Padua, Florence, Pisa and Bolzano.
Furthermore, several regional governments have introduced symbolic registries for same-sex couples. These include:
| Region | Date of recognition |
|---|---|
| Tuscany | July 17, 2004 |
| Umbria | July 29, 2004 |
| Emilia-Romagna | September 14, 2004 |
| Campania | September 19, 2004 |
| Marche | December 6, 2004 |
| Veneto | March 1, 2005 |
| Puglia | December 9, 2005 |
| Lazio | December 14, 2005 |
| Liguria | March 16, 2006 |
| Abruzzo | April 20, 2006 |
In July 2012, Mayor Giuliano Pisapia, promised to introduce a formal register of gay civil unions for the city of Milan (the largest city in Northern Italy), and which would be designed to afford some legal protections to gay couples who cohabit, but these would not be equivalent to marriage rights. A spokesman for the Catholic diocese of Milan responded by arguing there was a "risk that giving equal status to families based on marriage with those founded on civil unions will legitimise polygamy". On July 27, 2012 the Town Council approved the Register of Civil Unions in 29-7 vote.
Read more about this topic: Recognition Of Same-sex Unions In Italy
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