Greece legalizes same-sex marriage, a first for Orthodox Christianity
OAN’s James Meyers
3:31 PM – Thursday, February 15, 2024
Greece Legalizes Gay Marriage, Making History
Greece has officially become the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize gay marriage, marking a monumental decision. This historic move comes despite opposition from the influential Greek Church.
A cross-party majority of 176 lawmakers in the 300-seat Parliament voted on Thursday in favor of the bill. 76 rejected the reform, while two others did not vote. 46 were not present for the vote.
The law was drafted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government and also had support from four left-leaning parties. With the passing of the law, Greece becomes the 16th country within the European Union and the 35th worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage.
“People who have been invisible will finally be made visible around us. And with them, many children will finally find their rightful place,” Mitsotakis told lawmakers ahead of the evening vote.
The European country has allowed civil unions for same-sex couples since 2015, but the law did not permit same-sex parents to both claim legal guardianship over their children.
However, the new law would still prohibit same-sex couples from having children through surrogate mothers in Greece, which is an option available to single women and heterosexual couples that require surrogates due to health reasons.
The law has been met with criticism from the Greek Orthodox Church, which reiterated that homosexuality is a sin. The church even held protests earlier this week against the Parliamentary vote.
In 2022, Greek lawmakers banned sex-change surgeries nationwide.
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How did the cross-party support for the bill reflect the changing attitudes and acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights within Greek society?
On February 15, 2024, Greece made history by becoming the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize gay marriage. This monumental decision was met with opposition from the influential Greek Church, making it even more significant.
The bill received support from a cross-party majority of 176 lawmakers in the 300-seat Parliament, while 76 lawmakers rejected the reform and two others abstained from voting. This shows that there was a strong support for legalizing gay marriage in Greece.
The law was drafted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government and was also supported by four left-leaning parties. This cross-party support reflects the changing attitudes and growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights in Greek society.
With the passing of this law, Greece joins the ranks of 16 other European Union countries and 35 countries worldwide that have legalized same-sex marriage. This highlights the progress that has been made globally towards recognizing and ensuring equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, speaking to lawmakers before the vote, emphasized the importance of this law in making formerly invisible people visible and giving children of same-sex parents a rightful place in society. This statement demonstrates the positive impact this decision will have on countless individuals and families in Greece.
It is worth noting that while Greece had allowed civil unions for same-sex couples since 2015, the previous law did not permit same-sex parents to both claim legal guardianship over their children. The new law addresses this inequality and grants equal rights to same-sex parents.
However, it is important to mention that the new law still prohibits same-sex couples from having children through surrogate mothers in Greece. This is an option that is available to single women and heterosexual couples who require surrogates due to health reasons. Although this is a limitation, it should not overshadow the significant progress made with the legalization of gay marriage.
Greece’s decision to legalize gay marriage is a step forward in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It showcases the changing attitudes and increasing acceptance towards diversity and equality in the country. This landmark decision will have a profound and positive impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Greece and sets an example for other Orthodox Christian countries to follow.
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