Will I be proven wrong?

A while back I was talking to some friend from Italy about gay marriage in Europe, where it's starting to pop up in some nations, and in Italy, and I remember saying that I believed I wouldn't have seen it legalized in that country in my lifetime.

Two article I saw this morning are making me think I might have spoken too soon. First I read that the northern city of Padova became the first in the nation to set up a domestic partner registry for unmarried couples. Then I read that a resolution to allow civil unions has been introduced in the Senate.

I thought wow!! I doubt the Senate measure has any good chances of passing, but the town's decision is final. Gay couples can already register there as a family.

The Church, as expected, was up in arms, denouncing the decision as a first step toward legalization of same-sex marriage and allowing gays to adopt children, and it will most certainly do everything it can to stop the Senate measure and stop the domestic partner registry in Padova, if possible.

But at least someone finally acknowledge the (pink) 800 pound gorilla in the room, and, as we've seen happen in the US time and time again, visibility ultimately is our most formidable weapon, because heterosexuals are just scared of us and feel threatened because they don't know us. Visibility shows them that there's nothing to fear, no threat, and ultimately just exposes our enemies' hatred and bigotry.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next.

From the Herald Tribune:

The city of Padua has become the first in Italy to allow gay couples to have their partnerships legally recognized, prompting swift criticism from the Vatican's official newspaper.

Padua's city council voted Monday night to allow unmarried cohabiting couples — including gays — to obtain official certificates recognizing them as "a family founded on bonds of affection."
[...]
However, a city spokeswoman sought to distance the move from family politics, saying it was intended to simplify bureaucracy for those living nontraditional lifestyles.

"This is for couples who don't want to get married, couples who are living together who want to register that they are cohabiting. It could be useful for a number of things," city spokeswoman Donatella Gasperi said Wednesday. "It's not necessarily for gays, but if two gays come in, they will be registered."

From 365gay.com:

Italy's Senate on Thursday passed a motion calling on the government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi to bring in legislation creating civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.

It said it wants the bill by the end of next month.

The motion cited "the growing debate within politics and public opinion concerning common law unions and the rights and duties stemming from them," and said that the bill should "recognize the rights, including regarding taxes, of persons in de facto relationships".
[...]
The coalition has been working on a bill that would be similar to Britain's civil partnership law which grants all the rights of marriage but not the name.

And this was our Holy Father's usual gracious and loving reaction:

Pope Benedict warned Prodi's government on Thursday that the Vatican will use all of its power to thwart any move to recognize same-sex couples.

Such a charmer the Pope, isn't he.