- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Civil unions (marriage rights)
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but restricted for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Second parent adoption only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Parental approval required
- Military
- Unknown
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Homosexual activity in Emilia-Romagna is legal.
Current status
Since 1890
Legal under federal Italy law
There are no laws against same sex relationships in Italy's Penal Code.
Same-sex marriage in Emilia-Romagna is civil unions (marriage rights).
Current status
Since May 11, 2016
Civil unions (marriage rights) under federal Italy law
The law on same sex civil partnerships was adopted on May 11, 2016. The law recognizes same-sex couples as a family and gives them the same rights as marriage, with the exception of joint adoption. However a court can still allow second parent adoption.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Emilia-Romagna is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship under federal Italy law
In 2025, Italy’s education ministry passed a ban on the usage of gender-neutral language in school communications, however this does not affect the discussion of LGBT related topics in education.
Right to change legal gender in Emilia-Romagna is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Jul 23, 2015
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis under federal Italy law
A Supreme Court decision overruled the surgery requirement to change one's legal gender.
On 15 February 2023, a Court in Trento ruled transgender minors could have their legal gender changed on documents as long as their parents consent and a psychologist has been consulted on the matter.
On 15 February 2023, a Court in Trento ruled transgender minors could have their legal gender changed on documents as long as their parents consent and a psychologist has been consulted on the matter.
Gender-affirming care in Emilia-Romagna is legal, but restricted for minors.
Current status
Since Feb 2019
Legal, but restricted for minors under federal Italy law
Puberty blockers can be started in transgender youths, followed by gender-affirming hormones (GAH) by the age of 16 years, surgery requires the recipient to be 18 years old and receive the approval of a court.
Until Feb 2019
Legal, but banned for minors under federal Italy law
Italy requires individuals to be 18 years old to access gender-affirming care. Additionally, court approval is required for any gender-affirming surgery.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Emilia-Romagna is not legally recognized.
LGBT employment discrimination in Emilia-Romagna is sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT housing discrimination in Emilia-Romagna is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jul 2019
Sexual orientation and gender identity
In July 2019 after 39 hours of debate, the region passed new regulations to protect LGBT people from discrimination in several areas including housing.
Until Nov 14, 2004
No protections under federal Italy law
Before Toscana passed landmark discrimination protections, there were no protections for lgbt people against housing discrimination in Italy.
Same-sex adoption in Emilia-Romagna is second parent adoption only.
Current status
Since Jun 22, 2016
Second parent adoption only under federal Italy law
On June 22, 2016 the Court of Cassation stated that same sex couples in a civil union should be able to adopt their partner’s child for the child’s best interest. Same-sex couples can also apply for foster care since no law prohibits it.
On March 21, 2025 the Constitutional Court states that Singles (including LGBT+ people) can access the international adoption of abandoned foreign minors, establishing that being single cannot represent an absolute barrier to adoption, recognizing that even a single person can offer a stable and harmonious environment as well as guarantee affection, education, instruction and economic support.
On March 21, 2025 the Constitutional Court states that Singles (including LGBT+ people) can access the international adoption of abandoned foreign minors, establishing that being single cannot represent an absolute barrier to adoption, recognizing that even a single person can offer a stable and harmonious environment as well as guarantee affection, education, instruction and economic support.
Intersex infant surgery in Emilia-Romagna is parental approval required.
Current status
Parental approval required under federal Italy law
According to the National Institute of Health (the main italian research institute in the biomedical and public health sector) the person involved in intersex surgery -and if they are a minor, their parents as well- must be informed about the different options and results that can be achieved, so that they may give their informed consent.
Serving openly in military in Emilia-Romagna is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMs in Emilia-Romagna is legal.
Current status
Since 2001
Legal under federal Italy law
Italy uses a risk-based donor selection system that treats MSM and heterosexual partners equally.
Conversion therapy in Emilia-Romagna is not banned.
Current status
Not banned under federal Italy law
In Italy, there is no legislative ban on conversion therapy. However, the national psychological association officially stated in 2013 that conversion therapy goes strictly against its code of ethics and therefore is not allowed.
Equal age of consent in Emilia-Romagna is equal.
Current status
Equal under federal Italy law
Age of consent is 14 with exceptions for various methods of influence and prostitution but no exceptions for homosexual activity.
Legal Rights
77 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Emilia-Romagna to help improve its accuracy.
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Alternative names: Émilie-Romagne
