Rome celebrates first 'gay' civil unions

Ansa.it reports: "Rome's brand-new civil unions registry kicked off Thursday as 20 couples - 14 of them gay and six straight - sealed their commitment to one another at City Hall. Actors Michela Andreozzi and Massimiliano Vado were first in line to celebrate their civil union on what center-left Mayor Ignazio Marino has called Celebration Day. Another couple tying the knot are Paola and Stella, both volunteers at Rome's Gay Center who have been together for 31 years.  'Today a just, serene, peaceful and egalitarian Italy takes center stage,' said grooms Mauro Cioffari and Davide Conte. 'Long live love, long live liberty'.  The proceedings were briefly marred by a lone protester, who insulted the mayor and shouted 'You are ruining Italy' at participants before leaving of his own accord.  Rome's city council in January approved the establishment of a special register for civil unions..."