Italy's recent landmark ruling officially recognized the status of both men in a couple as the legal fathers of their surrogate children, not just the biological father. For a nation that has only recently recognized same-sex civil unions, this is a significant breakthrough, indicating that a more more open view toward surrogacy could be a future possibility.
Currrently, surrogacy is prohibited by law in Italy, but the Court of Appeal of Trento determined that "the consequences of the violation of the rules set forth in Law No 40 of 2014 committed by adults should not fall back on the newborn," indicating that families who pursue surrogacy outside of Italy will not be penalized when they register their children's birth certificates in Italy.
The judges' ruling that parental relationships should not be solely determined by biology is of great significance. The court stated: "One must consider the importance of parental responsibility, which is manifested in the conscious decision to raise and care for the child," thus recognizing not only the fact that the children have two fathers, but also the importance of safeguarding the needs of the children.
Gay activists and support groups in the traditionally conservative nation are celebrating the ruling, hailing it as an important precedent for any future cases related to same-sex parents. The ruling indicates that under Italian law, parentage doesn't rely solely upon biology, but rather care and intent. Additionally, it affirms that men are capable of offering children the love and care that they need, which is a vital part of gender equality, particularly as it relates to the care of children.
While Italy still has a long way to go in the fight for recognizing surrogacy as a beautiful and effective method for building families, this is most definitely a victory, particularly for the family directly involved. There's a renewed sense of hope that surrogacy could be available to Italian families at some date in the future.