Gays will exchange vows all over Italy this autumn in the hope they can one day be recognised by the state, organisers of this year's Gay Pride event said Tuesday.
''We're fed up with waiting for a law,'' said Francesca Polo, head of the national lesbians' association Arcilesbica.
''What's important for us is that the existence of a couple who have a longstanding relationship should be written down on a piece of paper''.
The vow, which will have no legal standing, will be called a ''public pledge of union''.
The head of Italy's biggest gay group, Arcigay, Aurelio Mancuso, said the event in more than 50 cities on October 18-19 would also give many couples a chance to ''come out into the open''.
Italian gays and transsexuals hope to eventually set up a register in every Italian city.
''The vows will be sent to Rome where there'll be a national panel of three watchdogs who will certify the signatures in the hope of legal recognition,'' the Gay Pride organisers said.
The Gay Pride bash in Bologna on Saturday will be led by Europe's first transgender MP, Vladimir Luxuria, while distinguished astrophysicist Margherita Hack will be the 'godmother'.
Thousands of gays are bussing in to the Emilian capital from as far away as Trieste and Naples.
