Italy is the last country in Western Europe without protections for same-sex couples, but its Parliament takes up a bill next week that could change that.
Next week, Italy's Parliament is scheduled to take up a law that would allow same-sex couples to enter civil unions.
Tony Gentile / Reuters
Italy is the only country in Western Europe that grants no legal status to same-sex couples; nearly all others have full marriage equality.
Andrew Medichini / AP
Italy's judiciary and the European Court of Human Rights have both ruled that the country is required to recognize same-sex couples, but there's no mechanism to change the law without action from Parliament.
Vincent Kessler / Reuters
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has been trying to get legislation through parliament for almost two years, but it has been blocked in part by partners in his ruling coalition and members of his Democratic Party close to the Catholic hierarchy.
Remo Casilli / Reuters