Italy is one of nine European Union states that did not sign a recent LGBTQ+ rights bill from the EU. Alongside Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Italy declined to endorse the May 17 declaration promoting policies supporting LGBTQ+ communities. Italy's decision not to sign the EU text on gay rights was because it mirrored a bill proposed by Democratic Party MP and gay activist Alessandro Zan. Zan's bill aimed to increase penalties for anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Despite this, Italy did join a declaration against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia on May 7, as it pertained to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Belgian presidency presented the declaration to EU member states on the World Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, with 18 of the 27 EU members supporting it. Italy has been controversial regarding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly after removing lesbian mothers from children's birth certificates in 2023. However, a court recently rejected efforts to erase non-biological lesbian mothers' names. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic expanded same-sex unions but excluded marriage and adoption rights, and Romania's Prime Minister stated the country is "not ready" for LGBTQ+ rights. #Queer Up The World View