Italy votes to give rights to gay couples

Italy has joined the rest of Europe in giving some legal rights to gay couples.

The lower Chamber of Deputies voted 369-193 with two abstentions on Wednesday to approve legislation already passed in February by the Senate.

Gay rights activists hailed the vote as historic, given that Italy was the last of the European Union's 28 nations to grant legal recognition to civil unions.

But they voiced disappointment that the government had sacrificed a provision to allow gay adoption to ensure passage.

The legislation grants same-sex couples many of the same rights as married couples: the possibility of having the same last name, inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights and medical decision-making rights.

But it stops short of authorising gay marriage, which the Vatican opposes.

Today is a big day for gay rights in Italy. Read about the civil unions vote here: https://t.co/ed1NvOiSUJ pic.twitter.com/toaVsFKdOx

— The Local Italy (@TheLocalItaly) May 11, 2016