A top Italian official thinks an ad
for Swedish furniture maker Ikea featuring a gay couple holding hands
is "in bad taste" and in direct opposition to Italy's constitution.
Secretary
of State for family policy Carlo Giovanardi says he thinks it is "in
bad taste that a Swedish multinational comes to Italy to tell Italians
what they should think."
The ad, which features two men holding hands, reads, "We are open to all families."
Sweden
has had marriage equality since 2009 and civil unions since the early
'90s.
By contrast, Italy does not recognize any form of same-sex unions.
"I
think that many clients of Ikea will not find this pleasant," said
Giovanardi, adding that while he thinks the company has a right to court
any type of customer it pleases, the ad "is in direct opposition to our
constitution, which says that family is founded on a marriage."