Greece has made history as the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalize same-sex marriage, alongside allowing same-sex couples to adopt children, following a 176-76 vote in parliament. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised the new law for boldly addressing a significant inequality. However, the decision has sparked division, particularly from the influential Orthodox Church, which strongly opposes the measure. Supporters of the Church held a protest rally in Athens, displaying banners, carrying crosses, reciting prayers, and singing passages from the Bible at Syntagma Square.
Despite the opposition, the bill passed through the 300-member parliament with a simple majority. Mr. Mitsotakis, a strong advocate for the bill, emphasized the importance of visibility for marginalized communities. He stated that the reform would improve the lives of many citizens without detracting from others. The head of the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos, expressed concern that the measure would harm the social cohesion of the country.
The LGBTQ community in Greece celebrated the decision, with Stella Belia, the head of the same-sex parents' group Rainbow Families, calling it a historic moment filled with joy. Greece's move brings it in line with 15 other European Union countries and a total of 35 nations worldwide that have legalized same-sex marriage. The country had previously lagged behind its European counterparts due to opposition from the Church, but it now stands as the first in southeastern Europe to achieve marriage equality.
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