Greece Defies Church And Conservatives To Legalize Gay Marriage
In a historic vote, Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to recognize same-sex marriage and grant equal rights to gay couples.
The bill, which was championed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, faced fierce opposition from some members of his own party, the Christian Orthodox church, and former leaders. But it was supported by a majority of lawmakers from across the political spectrum, in a rare show of unity.
Mitsotakis hailed the vote as a “milestone for human rights” and a reflection of “today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”
The legislation allows same-sex couples to adopt children and gives them the same legal status as heterosexual parents. However, it does not permit surrogacy for gay couples, a contentious issue that remains unresolved.
The vote was a major victory for the LGBT+ community in Greece, which has long faced discrimination and stigma in the conservative and religious society. It was also a boost for Mitsotakis’ image as a reformer, amid criticism over his handling of a spying scandal and allegations of undermining the rule of law and media freedom.
