The Greek government has doubled down on their promise to legalise same-sex marriage amid church opposition. Back in July 2023, the country’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged to pass the LGBTQIA+ inclusive measure during his term. “Same-sex marriage will happen at some point and it’s part of our strategy,” he said during an interview with Bloomberg Television in Athens on 4 July. “Greek society is much more ready and mature.” While the country has recognised same-sex unions since 2015, LGBTQIA+ couples are only offered a handful of rights and benefits.
Since announcing the news, the country’s influential Orthodox Church has unsurprisingly pushed back on the idea, even writing a 1,500-word opinion slamming the legislation, per AP News.
Fortunately for the country’s LGBTQIA+ community, Mitsotakis’ government isn’t letting church pushback affect their decision.
In response to the religious institution, government spokesperson Pavalos Marinakis said: “We always listen to the opinions of the Church with respect.