Greece Nears the Decisive Moment of Accepting Same-Sex Marriage

Niovi, a four-year-old girl, enjoys playing pretend in her garden in northern Athens. She imagines herself selling cakes from her make-believe shop. For her two mothers, Christina and Victoria, this dream may soon become a reality as Greece considers legalizing same-sex marriage. The bill, introduced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will be voted on in Parliament on Thursday. Mitsotakis will need the support of the left-wing opposition to pass the bill, as some members of his own party oppose it. Christina and Victoria, who moved back to Greece from the UK, where they were able to marry and where Niovi was born, hope that their marriage will be recognized under Greek law if the bill passes. However, they have faced obstacles and discrimination in Greece due to the lack of legal recognition. Despite both Christina and Victoria being Niovi's mothers, only Victoria, who gave birth to Niovi, is recognized as her parent. This lack of recognition has caused many challenges for the family. Christina has been barred from making decisions regarding Niovi's education and healthcare. Additionally, they fear that if something were to happen to Victoria, Niovi would be taken into social services without any say from Christina. This fear highlights the urgency and importance of legalizing same-sex marriage in Greece. While 15 out of the 27 European Union members already allow same-sex marriage, Greece has lagged behind due to opposition from its influential church. If the law passes, Greece would become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country in Europe's southeast to have marriage equality. Same-sex couples would also gain the right to adopt children, although surrogacy would still only be permitted for heterosexual couples with a medical need. The bill has received support from Prime Minister Mitsotakis and his team, who believe in equality under the law and individual rights. However, Greek society remains divided on the issue. Opponents, including the Church of Greece, argue that same-sex marriage undermines traditional family values and harms children. Outside Parliament, protesters gather against the bill, expressing their belief that children should have both a mother and a father. Conspiracy theories and religious fervor have intertwined in some arguments against the bill. However, supporters of the bill see it as a step towards accepting diversity and equal rights in Greece. As the vote approaches, Christina and Victoria feel excitement and hope for the future. They believe that legalizing same-sex marriage will bring truth and recognition to their reality as a family.