A majority of Italians oppose gay marriage and gay adoption, a new survey of attitudes in the country has revealed.
Despite something of a liberal shift in other areas, such as surrogate motherhood and the morning after pill, of those polled by the European Institute of Political, Economic and Social Studies (Eurispes), 59.2% voiced opposition to full marriage rights for gay couples. This is despite figures showing that 64.4% of Italians believing that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, should enjoy equal protections under Italian law.
The figure for those opposed to gay couples adopting is even more stark, with 72.2% negative on that issue.
The figure against gay adoption has remained stable since a similar poll in 2014, though opposition to gay marriage has grown from 50.7% in the same period.
Meanwhile in Chile, a week after the country moved to recognise same sex unions, President Michelle Bachelet announced last weekend that, following on from an election promise, her administration will now table legislation for the provision of abortion. The new law, according to the president, is intended for cases where there is a risk to the life of the mother, but also in cases of disability or where a child is conceived through rape. The draft legislation will reportedly contain a clause stating that even in cases of conscience, a doctor will be required to perform an abortion in an emergency where there is no other physician available.