The Italian Parliament has voted to pass a bill that allows civil unions for same-sex couples.

"The lower house of parliament voted 369-193 in favor of a vote of confidence in the government over the issue, making approval of the contentious civil unions bill automatic," reports The Telegraph.

After failing to pass after an initial vote back in February the bill went through some changes including a significant edit that dropped a section that would have allowed for a partner to adopt their partner's child. This alteration allowed the bill to pass.

Conservative politicians were strongly against the legalization of the unions saying that "same-sex relationships should never be accorded the same status as marriage between a man and a woman."

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi wrote a Facebook post before today's historic vote:

Italy is the last Western European country to legalize same-sex couples.

h/t: Out