2024-02-16T07:57:39+00:00
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/ The British newspaper “The Guardian” reported on Friday that Greece has become the first Orthodox Christian country to legally recognize same-sex marriage.
The newspaper reported that after a lot of tug-of-war, discussions, objections and opposing demonstrations in the streets, the Greek parliament approved the same-sex marriage and adoption law yesterday, Thursday, after 176 deputies from various political groups voted in favor of it, while 76 deputies rejected it, and two abstained from voting.
46 MPs were absent from the voting session, apparently in protest against the draft law being put to a vote.
The vote came after two days of heated debate, and weeks of demonstrations for and against.
Despite facing massive opposition from within his centre-right New Democracy party, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has defended the bill, saying it will end “serious inequalities in our democracy”.
In an impassioned speech before the vote, Mitsotakis, 55, who belongs to the liberal faction of his party, said the move would bring his country into line with 36 countries worldwide that have already passed similar legislation on the issue.
“We are bridging the gap by allowing everyone, if they wish, to make their relationship official… just as heterosexual couples do,” he continued.
Following the vote, the Prime Minister wrote on the X platform: “As of tonight, Greece is proud to be the 16th country in the European Union to legalize marriage equality.”
“This is a milestone in the field of human rights, and confirms that Greece is a progressive and democratic country, strongly committed to European values,” he added.
Meanwhile, Orthodox bishops threatened to “excommunicate” lawmakers who voted in favor of the measure, while the leader of the far-right Spartans party, Vassilis Stigas, said the law would “open the gates of hell and perversion.”
Prominent gay activist Stella Bellia expressed her happiness at the achievement, saying: “We have waited years for this.”
She praised the legislation, which will not only allow same-sex couples to exchange vows in civil ceremonies, but will also allow them to adopt children.