February 15, 2024, 21:43 GMT
Updated 20 minutes ago
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Watch: Cheers in Athens as same-sex marriage becomes law
Greece is the first country with a Christian Orthodox majority to legalize same-sex marriage.
Following a 176-76 vote in Parliament on Thursday, same-sex couples are now legally allowed to adopt children.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the new law would “boldly eliminate serious inequality.”
But it has divided Greece, with fierce resistance from the powerful Greek Orthodox Church. Their supporters staged a protest rally in Athens.
Many held banners, held crosses, read prayers and sang Bible verses in Syntagma Square in the capital.
The head of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos, said the measure would “damage the social cohesion of the homeland.”
The bill needed a simple majority to pass the 300-member Parliament.
Mr. Mitsotakis supported the bill but needed the support of opposition parties to push it through, and dozens of lawmakers from his center-right ruling party opposed it.
“People who have been invisible will finally be made visible around us, and with them many children will finally find their rightful place,” the Prime Minister said during a debate before the vote in Parliament.
“The reform improves the lives of some of our fellow citizens without affecting the lives of many.”
Image source: Getty Images
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Opponents of the legislative session held a protest rally in front of the parliament building in Athens
The vote was welcomed by LGBTQ organizations in Greece.
“This is a historic moment,” Stella Belia, head of the same-sex parents group Rainbow Families, told Portal. “This is a day of joy.”
Fifteen of the 27 members of the European Union have already legalized same-sex marriage. It is approved in 35 countries worldwide.
Greece has so far lagged behind some of its European neighbors, largely due to opposition from the church.
It is the first country in Southeastern Europe to introduce marriage equality.