date:Sep 27, 2013
s, saying that he respected everyone and was in favour of gay marriage, but against gay adoption.
The remarks provoked anger among many of the politicians who are trying to pass legislation against homophobic crimes.
The country, on whose politics the Catholic church has long exerted a conservative influence, lags behind many other European countries on gay rights. Far from moving towards the legalisation of gay marriage, Italy still does not recognise same-sex civil unions.
Alessandro Zen, a