Supporters of proposed Italian legislation to give many legal rights to unmarried couples, including homosexuals, rallied in Rome on Saturday to urge lawmakers to resist Vatican pressure against the reforms. Premier Roman Prodi's Cabinet last month approved the rights bill, which now faces what could be a tough battle in Parliament and which has heightened tensions in his often bickering center-left coalition. A Christian Democrat Cabinet minister refused to vote on the measure, while far-left members of the coalition, including Communists and Greens, have been vigorously campaigning for its passage. A senator from a pro-Vatican centrist party in the coalition recently was criticised for making remarks gay leaders described as hostile. Hundreds of rally participants, some of them waving rainbow-colored flags, streamed into Piazza Farnese — chosen by organisers because in 2002, two Italian men registered their union in the French consulate there under a French law that gives broad legal rights to gay couples. "Equal in opportunity, free in choice," read one banner. Italy's proposed legislation would grant legal rights to unmarried couples who live together, both in heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Some rights, such as hospital visiting rights, would be granted immediately, while couples would have to live together for several years to be eligible for inheritance rights, for example. Pope Benedict XVI has been leading a campaign against legal recognition for unmarried couples and has denounced any efforts aimed at allowing gays to marry. Ref: 365gay.com (m)