Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in Landmark Change, Reports Reuters

By Renee Maltezou

ATHENS – Greece’s parliament has passed a bill permitting same-sex civil marriage, marking a significant achievement for supporters of LGBT rights. The decision was celebrated by crowds both inside the parliament and on the streets of Athens.

The new law grants same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt children, following decades of advocacy by the LGBT community for marriage equality in this traditionally conservative nation. Greece becomes one of the first Orthodox Christian countries to recognize such unions.

Stella Belia, head of the Rainbow Families group, expressed her satisfaction, stating, "This is a historic moment. This is a day of joy."

The bill received approval from 176 members in the 300-seat parliament and will officially become law once it is published in the government gazette. Despite some members of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right New Democracy party either abstaining or opposing the legislation, it garnered sufficient support from the leftist opposition, showcasing a rare moment of cross-party collaboration despite a heated debate.

"This is a very important step for human rights, a very important step for equality, and a very important step for Greek society," commented Nikos Nikolaidis, a historian who participated in a pro-bill rally.

Recent opinion polls indicate a divided public regarding the issue. The influential Orthodox Church, which characterizes homosexuality as sinful, has vehemently opposed the marriage law, while some within the LGBT community feel the bill does not go far enough. It does not address challenges faced by LGBT couples seeking assisted reproduction, and surrogate pregnancies remain unavailable to them. However, it does recognize children born via surrogacy abroad.

Elliniki Lysi, one of the three far-right parties in parliament, condemned the bill as "anti-Christian" and detrimental to national interests. Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, a member of New Democracy, stated, "Of course I will vote against it. The marriage of same-sex couples is not a human right."

Outside the parliament, LGBT advocates gathered, holding banners proclaiming, "Not a step back from real equality." Ermina Papadima of the Greek Transgender Support Association expressed her pride as a Greek citizen for the country’s progressiveness, believing this change will lead to an evolving mindset over time.

The push for equality has been ongoing for decades, often in opposition to the Church and conservative politicians. In 2008, a same-sex couple married on the island of Tilos, but their marriage was annulled by the courts. However, progress has been made in recent years, including the legalization of civil partnerships for same-sex couples in 2015, legal recognition of gender identity in 2017, and the banning of conversion therapy for minors intended to suppress sexual orientation.