The rise to power of Italy's new far-right PM
The prime minister, elected last September, has been a vocal supporter of traditional family and Christian values, campaigning against what she calls "gender ideology" and the "LGBT lobby". Months before she came to power, she proposed a law that would make surrogacy by an Italian citizen a universal crime, and it is still on her party's agenda.
"Boys and girls with two mothers and two fathers already exist in Italy, Prime Minister Meloni should get over it," said Alessia Crocini, president of the Rainbow Families association. "We must guarantee our children the same rights as their peers."
"We feel under attack," said Angela Diomede, who will take part in the Milan rally with her wife and their six-year-old girl. "I don't understand this obsession of the government with targeting children, it doesn't lead anywhere."
Italy's Senate this week also rejected a proposal for a standardised European parenthood certificate that would be recognised across all 27 member states of the EU.