Italy rightist ruling party pulls support from LGBT event, sparking anger

6/6/2023 12:00

        The right-wing government of Italy's Lazio region around Rome said on Monday it was withdrawing its backing from the capital's annual LGBT parade, drawing an angry response from rights activists and opposition politicians.
        
        LGBT rights and gender equality in Italy have been a particularly sensitive issue since right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni came to power around seven months ago vowing to combat what she called the "LGBT lobby".
        
        The Lazio region's President Francesco Rocca, backed by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, was elected in February, ousting the former centre-left administration.
        
        The regional government said in a statement it could no longer support the "Roma Pride" event, due to be held on Saturday, because the organisers had publicly supported surrogate pregnancy, which is illegal in Italy.