Greek lawmakers are engaging in a pivotal debate on a groundbreaking bill to legalize same-sex marriage, marking a potential historical shift for the Orthodox Christian nation. If approved, Greece would become the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The reform enjoys narrow public support, despite vocal opposition from the church.
The proposed bill, if passed, grants same-sex couples full parental rights. However, it maintains restrictions on male partners seeking children through surrogacy within Greece. The journey toward legalizing same-sex civil marriage has been arduous, marked by governmental hesitancy due to opposition from the Orthodox Church.
In 2015, civil partnerships for gay couples were legalized, facing conservative resistance at the time. Despite promises to extend rights, progress was delayed amid economic crises and the pandemic. Greek same-sex couples often opted to marry in other EU countries with marriage equality laws.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his second term, spearheads challenging reforms, including addressing fan violence in sports and ending a state monopoly on higher education.
The Orthodox Church strongly opposes the bill, emphasizing traditional family values. The Holy Synod, the church’s governing body, conveyed objections to lawmakers, and public protests ensued. The church perceives same-sex marriage as a threat to the traditional family model, linking it to addressing declining birth rates in Europe.
The bill, hailed by LGBTQ+ activists as a milestone, recognizes same-sex couples as family units. Non-biological parents would need to seek guardianship through adoption, a lengthier process than in many European countries.
The political landscape around same-sex marriage presents a rare moment of consensus amid broader disagreements within the European Union. The Mitsotakis government, facing internal dissent, requires opposition support for the bill. Opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis, openly gay, supports the reform. Left-wing and centrist votes are expected to secure a majority, while far-right parties align with religious protests.
The vote on the same-sex marriage bill is scheduled for Thursday, signifying a potential landmark moment for LGBTQ+ rights in Greece.
