This presentation examines Italy’s uneven progress on LGBTIQ+ rights by analysing party manifestos (2001–2022), political representation, and original survey data. It shows how the centre-left (PD, +Europa) gradually embraced civil unions (2016) and equality measures, while right-wing and far-right populist parties - backed by the Catholic Church - employed “gender ideology” frames to resist reforms. Despite overwhelming public support for marriage equality and trans rights, substantive advances remain limited, especially for trans and non-binary individuals, revealing a paradox of symbolic inclusion amid persistent legislative inertia.
