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In a groundbreaking moment for Greece and the LGBTQ+ community, Stavros Gavriliadis and Dimitris Elefsiniotis celebrated their union in Nea Smyrni, Athens, marking the country’s first legal same-sex wedding. This historic event comes after Greece’s recent legalisation of same-sex marriage, a significant step for a country with a Christian Orthodox majority.
The couple, who have been together for two decades and share three children, were among the advocates for the marriage equality bill. The legislation not only legalises same-sex marriage but also adoption by same-sex couples, making Greece the 16th EU country and 35th worldwide to embrace marriage equality. This move is seen as a milestone in human rights and a reflection of a progressive and democratic Greece, committed to European values.
The legal change was met with mixed reactions, with enthusiastic support from many, including life-long partners and human rights activists, who celebrated outside the parliament. In contrast, conservative groups opposed the bill, highlighting the country’s deep-rooted Orthodox values. However, the bill passed with a significant majority, signaling a shift towards greater inclusivity and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights in Greece.
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Related: Love Wins: Greece Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
The journey towards this historic moment has been long, with previous attempts to recognize same-sex relationships facing resistance. Earlier efforts, such as the proposal for civil solidarity pacts akin to those in France, made little headway due to controversial terminology and opposition from the Church. The establishment of “cohabitation agreements” in 2008 was a step forward, but it was initially limited to opposite-sex couples. It wasn’t until recent years that significant legal reforms, including the ban on conversion therapy for minors and the introduction of gender identity recognition laws, paved the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage and adoption.
Gavriliadis and Elefsiniotis’s wedding is not just a personal celebration but a symbol of change and progress in Greek society, showing the impact of legal and social advancements on the lives of same-sex couples and their families. The couple’s determination and advocacy, along with that of many others, have contributed to this landmark achievement, marking a new chapter in the fight for equality and human rights in Greece and beyond.
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