Greece Makes History: Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Greece has made history by becoming the first predominantly Christian Orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage.
The parliament of Greece approved a bill allowing same-sex civil marriage on Thursday, marking a significant victory for advocates of LGBT rights.
The legislation received the support of 176 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament and is set to become law upon publication in the official government gazette.
This law grants same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt children, following years of campaigning by the LGBT community for marriage equality in Greece.
Stella Belia, the leader of the Rainbow Families group representing same-sex parents, hailed the decision as a historic moment filled with joy.
While some members of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party abstained or voted against the bill, it garnered enough support from the leftist opposition, demonstrating rare cross-party unity amid heated debate.
Nikos Nikolaidis, a 40-year-old historian who participated in a rally supporting the bill, underscored its importance for human rights, equality, and Greek society.
Fifteen of the European Union’s 27 member states have already legalized same-sex marriage, and the practice is permitted in 35 countries worldwide.