[originaltext] Demonstrators from all over Italy gathered in a Rome square S

Demonstrators from all over Italy gathered in a Rome square Saturday for the Family Day rally. They listened to songs like this one whose words evoked the need for children to have both a mother and a father. Married couples with their children raised their voices to protest a proposed law that would give greater rights to unmarried couples, including gays and lesbians. This woman says the family is important because society is based on the ～family and it is a value for everyone, not just Christians. Lay Catholic groups and family associations organized the rally. They stressed the importance of policies that will favor the traditional family unit and family values based on marriage between a man and a woman. Thousands of supporters of the controversial bill organized a counter-rally in Rome’s famed Piazza Navona square. They said Italy would be a more civilized country if it gave rights to unmarried and gay couples. The draft legislation still requires parliamentary approval. Prime Minister Prodi has said lawmakers in his divided coalition are free to vote on it according to their conscience.