Mass protests have taken place in Rome and Milan after Italy's Senate killed off a bill which would have made homophobia a hate crime, like racism.
The Senate's 154 lawmakers voted against the bill, while 131 voted in favour. Among its opponents were the right-wing Northern League and Brothers of Italy parties, as well as the Vatican.
The so-called "Zan bill" – named after gay centre-left Democratic party (PD) legislator Alessandro Zan – passed the House of Representatives last year. However, after supporters and opponents of the law failed to reach an agreement, a vote in the Senate was сalled.
In June, the Vatican filed a formal diplomatic complaint against the proposed legislation, saying that – if passed – the law could result in Catholics being prosecuted for speaking in favour of traditional heterosexual relations.