The Italian League for Divorce found large unification in the 1974 referendum on the topic of Divorce Law. The first law that would legalize divorce within Italy was passed three years prior, and the referendum was initiated by Gabrio Lombardo with support of the Christian Church as a reactionary opposition to its passage. The campaigning done for a no vote, in opposition to the Christian Democrats, was mostly led by unofficial party leader Marco Pannella, who was a fierce champion for the rights of woman. This led to further connections with left-wing groups within Italy at the time such as the Italian Socialist Party and the Italian Communist Party. Because of the enormous campaigning effort done by Pannella, when the Divorce Referendum resulted in around 60% of citizens voting in favor of protecting divorce laws, this success was considered one completed by the Radical Party, thus emboldening the LID.