Last Thursday, with a majority of 176 votes out of 300, the Greek Parliament legalized same-sex civil marriage. This move has been welcomed and celebrated internationally as a considerable stride towards LGBTQ+ equality.
The legislation that was passed acknowledges same-sex marriages and modifies the civil code to allow marriage irrespective of gender. In addition, it guarantees equal surname rights for children and adjusts labor, social insurance and civil service laws to extend benefits to same-sex spouses and parents. It also offers protections against discrimination in various sectors including social protection, education, and access to goods and services. The newly enacted law recognizes same-sex marriages and parental relationships set up abroad, subject to specific conditions.
The bill, which was introduced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government, drew support from four left-wing parties, even including principal opposition, Syriza. It faced dissent, however, from three small far-right parties as well as the Communist Party, which accounted for the 76 votes against, alongside two members voting “present,” and 46 abstentions.
Prior to its passage, the Church of Greece expressed its concerns through a detailed letter to Parliament, criticizing the move towards gender-neutral parenting roles and arguing that civil unions already provided sufficient rights for same-sex couples. They questioned the need for same-sex marriage and parenting rights.
Post the bill’s passage, the UN Human Rights Office exalted it as a “landmark win for human rights” and an impressive advancement towards LGBTQ+ equality. In the wake of Thursday’s vote, Greece has now become the 16th country in the 27-member European Union to accept same-sex marriage.