ROME − On Wednesday, Italy’s parliament took a significant step by declaring it illegal for couples to travel abroad for surrogacy, a key initiative backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, which critics argue is aimed at targeting same-sex couples.

Since she assumed office in 2022, Meloni has been advancing a strongly conservative agenda that emphasizes traditional family structures and increasingly restricts the legal rights of LGBTQ couples to become parents.

The Senate approved Meloni’s proposed bill by a vote of 84 to 58, having already received support from the lower house last year.

This new law broadens an existing ban on surrogacy, which has been in effect in Italy since 2004, to include those couples who go to countries like the U.S. or Canada, where surrogacy is permitted. Offenders may face up to two years in prison and fines reaching $1.1 million.

“Motherhood is completely unique and cannot be substituted; it is the cornerstone of our society,” stated Brothers of Italy senator Lavinia Mennuni during the legislative discussion.

“We aim to eliminate the practice of surrogacy tourism.”

Earlier this year, Meloni denounced surrogacy as an “inhumane” practice, comparing the treatment of children to that of consumer goods, a sentiment also echoed by the Catholic Church.

On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the Senate expressing their displeasure with the bill, arguing that the government was attacking LGBTQ individuals while failing to support those wishing to have children, particularly in light of Italy’s declining birth rate.

Franco Grillini, a veteran LGBTQ rights advocate in Italy, remarked, “If someone has a child, they deserve a medal. Instead, you face imprisonment if you do not follow conventional methods of having children.”

Rainbow Families President Alessia Crocini noted that 90% of individuals opting for surrogacy in Italy are heterosexual couples who often keep their arrangements private, suggesting that this ban will primarily impact openly gay couples who have no option for discretion.

This crackdown on surrogacy occurs amidst a backdrop of declining birth rates, with Italy’s national statistics institute ISTAT reporting a historic low in births for 2023, marking the 15th consecutive year of decline.

Grillini condemned the legislation, stating, “This is an outrageous law. No other country enforces such a restriction.” He criticized the government’s efforts to prevent Italian citizens from utilizing legal surrogacy options available in other countries.