approved same-sex civil unions in 2016, the country lags behind its EU partners in creating anti-homophobia measures. An EU-wide survey published last autumn showed that 55% of Italians accepted LGBT people – far below the EU average.
Attempts at progress or even just meaningful debate have been stymied by a macho culture, Catholicism and support for far-right parties.
LGBT rights associations have linked a rise in hate crimes in 2019 to the prominence of Matteo Salvini’s far-right League, which continues to poll as Italy’s most popular party.Attempts by various governments over the past three decades to enshrine gay rights in law have either been stifled or sabotaged.