"Gay"Â activists won a huge concession in Italy as parliamentary leaders, following a fiercely contested legislative fight that lasted years, gave their thumbs-up to a measure allowing civil unions for homosexuals.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called a conference to press the final bill into law, bringing an end to Italy's status as the last major country in the West to refuse to legally recognize "gay" unions, Reuters reported.
Catholic groups that had waged a huge resistance to the bill weren't happy – but "gay" activists that had assembled outside parliament while voting was taking place cheered the news of its passage and vowed more fights for same-sex rights' recognition were coming.
"This is just the beginning," one activist's banner read, Reuters reported.
And Gabriele Piazzoni, president of the group Arcigay, said: "There is still a long way to go for full equality but this is an excellent starting point."
The bill, brought up in 2013, finally cleared the Chamber of Deputies this week by a vote of 369 to 193.
Renzi, in a radio interview shortly after the bill was approved, patted the backs of those who stood with him in what he called a "step forward" for civil rights.
"Today is a day of celebration in which Italy has taken a step forwards," he said.