Gays in Italy plan mass exchange of vows

ROME, June 24 (UPI) -- Gay groups in Italy say they plan mass exchanges of vows during the country's Gay Pride days to dramatize the need to give gay couples official standing.

''We're fed up with waiting for a law,'' Francesca Polo, head of Arcilesbica, told the Italian news agency ANSA. ''What's important for us is that the existence of a couple who have a longstanding relationship should be written down on a piece of paper.''

Aurelia Mancuso, head of Arcigay, said he hopes events will be held in at least 50 cities, giving couples a chance to make a public statement. Organizers said they realize the vows will have no official standing but they plan to collect documents and send them to Rome, preparing a register in hopes they eventually will be recognized.

Gay Pride Days are scheduled for Oct. 18-19.