Greece becomes first Christian Orthodox nation to legalise gay marriage

In a historic move, Greece has become the world's first Christian Orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage.

The landmark reform was passed by a rare display of parliamentary consensus, with 176 MPs across the political spectrum voting in favour of the bill, while 76 opposed it.

The legislation, allowing same-sex couples to exchange vows in civil ceremonies and adopt children, was a significant moment for the LGBTQ+ community.

The two-day parliamentary debate and weeks of public discourse culminated in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis championing the bill despite resistance from some members of his centre-right New Democracy party. Mitsotakis emphasised that the reform aimed to address serious inequalities and bring Greece in line with 36 other countries that had already legalised same-sex marriage.

The emotional scene in the parliament witnessed members of the LGBTQ+ community, visibly moved, watching from the galleries. Gay activist Stella Belia described the legislation as a "historic moment" and a realisation of a long-awaited change.

The Orthodox Church, a powerful institution in Greece, opposed the reform, calling it "antisocial" and "unchristian." Despite the objections, Mitsotakis stressed the importance of aligning with modern societal values and ensuring equal rights for all citizens.

While the bill received support from three opposition parties, including the main opposition leftist party led by Greece's first gay political leader, Stefanos Kasselakis, it faced criticism for not allowing same-sex couples to access surrogacy. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups also expressed concerns about the limitations of the law, contributing to a sense of trauma within the community.

The Orthodox bishops went as far as threatening to excommunicate lawmakers who voted in favour, and far-right parties rejected the bill, describing it as "monstrous" and vowing to nullify it if given the chance.

Despite the criticisms and opposition, the passage of the legislation marks a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Greece. Prime Minister Mitsotakis declared that as of the following day, barriers would be removed, making Greece the 16th EU country to legislate marriage equality.

In a post on X, Mitsotakis expressed pride in Greece's progressive and democratic values, highlighting the milestone for human rights in the country.