Italy rightist ruling party pulls support from LGBT event, sparking anger

FILE PHOTO: A child of a same-sex couple touches the LGBT flag at a protest after Italy's right-wing government told Milan's city council to stop registering same-sex parents' children in Milan, Italy March 18, 2023. REUTERS/Claudia Greco

ROME (Reuters) - The right-wing government of Italy's Lazio region around Rome said on Monday it was withdrawing its backing from the capital's annual LGBT parade, drawing an angry response from rights activists and opposition politicians.

LGBT rights and gender equality in Italy have been a particularly sensitive issue since right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni came to power around seven months ago vowing to combat what she called the "LGBT lobby".