Greece Becomes First Orthodox Christian Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

The bill, requiring a simple majority, secured approval on Thursday with 176 lawmakers in favor, 76 against, 46 absent, and two abstaining from voting in the 300-seat parliament.

Under the newly passed legislation, same-sex couples in Greece gain the right to marry and adopt children. However, the law does not extend support for assisted reproduction methods to LGBT couples, and surrogate pregnancies are excluded.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed the importance of this step for human rights, equality, and Greek society, emphasizing that the law addresses a serious inequality.

Despite the positive reception, divisions emerge within the country, particularly from the powerful Orthodox Church. The church staunchly opposes same-sex marriage, considering homosexuality a sin. Simultaneously, voices within the LGBT community argue that the law falls short of their expectations.

Supporters of the Orthodox Church have organized protest rallies in Athens, displaying banners, holding crosses, reciting prayers, and singing Bible passages in Syntagma Square. Archbishop Ieronymos, the head of the Orthodox Church, condemned the approved law, claiming it would “corrupt the homeland’s social cohesion.”