Greece marked a historic milestone by becoming the first predominantly Orthodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. This momentous occasion represents a significant victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Greece, which has persistently advocated for visibility and rights amidst the influence of the powerful Greek Orthodox Church.
The newly passed legislation not only legalizes same-sex marriage but also grants same-sex couples the right to adopt children and bestows full parental rights on married partners. However, the law falls short of permitting gay couples to pursue parenthood through surrogacy, a restriction that has sparked criticism from advocacy groups.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis celebrated the move on social media, highlighting Greece’s position as the 16th EU country to embrace marriage equality. He emphasized that this step reflects Greece’s commitment to progressive values and human rights.
The parliamentary vote on Thursday transcended party lines, with 176 out of 300 lawmakers in favor of the measure. Despite opposition from the socially conservative Greek church, which argues that same-sex marriage undermines traditional family structures, the legislation passed.
Orthodox Christianity, one of the world’s major Christian traditions, predominates in Europe, with numerous Orthodox Christian majority countries, including former Soviet states like Ukraine and Belarus.
The passage of the bill follows heated debates in Parliament, marked by public instances of homophobia and transphobia, as noted by Amnesty International.
Advocacy groups, such as Europride 2024 Thessaloniki, underscored the significance of the legislation, emphasizing that it goes beyond legal recognition to affirming the inherent worth and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
While welcoming the bill as a historic turning point, Athens Pride and other LGBTQ+ organizations urge the government to expand its scope, particularly regarding recognition of trans parenthood.
Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, a diversity and inclusion consultant and professor at Sciences Po University, acknowledges that while the legislation is a step forward, there is still room for improvement. He hopes it will catalyze broader regional progress on LGBTQ+ rights and positively impact Greece’s global image.
For openly gay lawmaker Spyros Bibilas, the passage of the bill holds personal significance, as he recalls the internal struggle he faced in coming to terms with his identity. His advocacy stems from a desire to spare future generations from similar experiences of concealment and anguish.
