Feb 15, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage

Rebecca Falconer

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and leader of the New Democracy party speaks to supporters at the suburb of Peristeri, as part of his pre-electoral campaign, for the upcoming second round of elections of June 25, on May 29, 2023. — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the New Democracy party, a Christian democratic and conservative political party. Photo: Aris Oikonomou/AFP via Getty Images

Same-sex couples in Greece can now marry and adopt children after Greek lawmakers on Thursday passed landmark legislation 176 votes to 76, despite opposition from the country's powerful Orthodox Church.

The big picture: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a statement hailed Greece becoming the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalize same-sex marriage and the 16th EU member to do so as "a milestone for human rights, reflecting today's Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values."

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Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian nation to legalize same-sex marriage

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