Madrid couple defy Italy's gay marriage ban
Madrid pair Miguel and Roberto have become the first gay couple to register their marriage in the traditional Italian city of Naples. They tell The Local how they did it and why it represents a "symbolic" moment for Italian society.
Roberto, from Naples, and his Spanish husband Miguel were greeted by Mayor Luigi de Magistris at city hall on Monday morning, where the couple formally added their marriage to the civil register.
While same-sex unions are currently illegal in Italy, De Magistris recently announced that his administration would begin registering the marriages of gay citizens who wed abroad.
Roberto and Miguel married in Spain and flew to Naples to have their union recognized by the city authority, which had been expected to happen at an earlier date in July.
Speaking to The Local today, Roberto said he was delighted at the response he had received in Italy.
“I am very happy; our personal story is considered exception. The registration is symbolic for Italian society,” he said.
“In practical terms, it changes my Italian identity card to say I’m married. It’s absurd that I’ve been married since 2008 but in Italy my identity card still says I’m single!”
READ THE LOCAL ITALY'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIGUEL AND ROBERTO HERE
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Roberto, from Naples, and his Spanish husband Miguel were greeted by Mayor Luigi de Magistris at city hall on Monday morning, where the couple formally added their marriage to the civil register.
While same-sex unions are currently illegal in Italy, De Magistris recently announced that his administration would begin registering the marriages of gay citizens who wed abroad.
Roberto and Miguel married in Spain and flew to Naples to have their union recognized by the city authority, which had been expected to happen at an earlier date in July.
Speaking to The Local today, Roberto said he was delighted at the response he had received in Italy.
“I am very happy; our personal story is considered exception. The registration is symbolic for Italian society,” he said.
“In practical terms, it changes my Italian identity card to say I’m married. It’s absurd that I’ve been married since 2008 but in Italy my identity card still says I’m single!”
READ THE LOCAL ITALY'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIGUEL AND ROBERTO HERE
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