From: Bartolomeo <roby.bart@iol.it>

Italy, February 21st 1997.

CASAGIT, journalist' redundancy fund, extended health 
assistance to same sex couples.
After this unanimously voting, journalist's same sex
partner will have equal rights of a married partner.

"It's a great historical victory for the italian gay and lesbian
movement" said Franco Grillini, ARCIGAY chairman (the largest
gay organisation in Italy).

Oppositions to this decision are obviuosly represented by
catholics. AVVENIRE - one of italian catholic newspapers - reported
in its article: "An unanimously voting for some principle
decisions with no consultation, no debate; taken in closed
room and published only when it's late to opposite it.
It's a strange way to defend 'principles' called 
as civilization".

Text reported by Bartolomeo <roby.bart@iol.it>