Italians are more accepting of gays than in the past but would be more upset if one of their children came out, according to a recent poll from think tank Eurispes, published Friday.
Some 52.5% of the poll said homosexuality was a form of love like any other, compared to 49.2% in 2003.
About a third said they would ''tolerate'' it only if it wasn't displayed and more than nine percent said it was immoral.
If a son or daughter told their parents they were gay, 53.5% said it wouldn't be a problem, a couple of points down on 2003.
About 14% would accept it provided it was never spoken of while 13% wouldn't accept it and 2.2% would take the kid to a doctor, the poll said.
Some 60% of those polled were in favour of recognising gay unions with 40% giving the thumbs up to gay marriage, but a third was against any form of recognition.
Only 14% were in favour of gays adopting kids, down from 27% in 2003.