Same-sex marriage legalised in Orthodox Greece despite church opposition

Greece's parliament has approved a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption, positioning the nation as a trailblazer within the Orthodox Christian world. 

The landmark reform, championed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his New Democracy party, garnered overwhelming support with 176 votes out of 245 MPs present.

The historic decision, making Greece the 37th country globally and the first Orthodox Christian nation to endorse same-sex adoption, signifies a significant leap forward for human rights. Prime Minister Mitsotakis hailed the development as a "milestone for human rights," emphasising Greece's commitment to progressive values.

Despite robust opposition from the influential Orthodox Church, which declared itself "totally opposed" to the reform, the bill secured bipartisan support, including backing from the main opposition leftist Syriza party and other smaller parties. Archbishop Ieronymos, the head of the Church, criticised the law as an attempt to impose a "new reality" that threatens the country's social cohesion.

The celebratory atmosphere outside the parliament building in central Athens, where rainbow flags waved in triumph, marked the culmination of a two-day debate. LGBTQ associations applauded the move, addressing the longstanding administrative challenges faced by same-sex families under existing family laws.

The reform addresses critical issues such as the absence of decision-making rights for non-biological parents in medical procedures and the automatic inheritance rights denied to children of same-sex couples. Mitsotakis urged lawmakers to "boldly abolish a serious inequality" that had rendered same-sex families "invisible" in Greek society.

Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the leftist Syriza party and openly gay, played a pivotal role in supporting the bill. His personal experience underscored the need to recognise and address the challenges faced by LGBTQ families.

"This is a day of joy," declared Rainbow Families Greece, an NGO supporting LGBTQ families, as the reform reflects a broader societal shift towards inclusivity. Opinion polls indicate widespread support for same-sex marriage, making Greece's journey toward recognising LGBTQ rights a beacon for other conservative societies.