Italy expands its ban on surrogacy to overseas as critics say it targets same-sex couples

Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy on Wednesday criminalized citizens who go abroad to have children through surrogacy, while opponents slam it as “medieval” and discriminatory to same-sex couples. The legislation extends a surrogacy ban in place since 2004 to couples who resort to surrogates in countries such as the United States or Canada. Italians who go abroad can face up to two years in jail and up to 1 million euros in fines. The measure was promoted by the far-right Brothers of Italy party led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, asserting that it protects women’s dignity.