Greece legalises same-sex marriage and adoption in historic victory
Greece has become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalise same sex marriage and adoption in a historic ruling.
This verdict makes Greece the 16th European Union country, 21st country in Europe and 37th country globally to pass a law. The country’s Parliament voted in a 176-76 majority in favour of the decision, on 15 February.
Greece first extended civil partnerships to same-sex couples in 2015, but stopped short of equal parental rights. The new bill will allow same-sex couples to adopt children and recognises both parents as the legal guardian, something that had previously only been afforded to the biological parent.
However, the bill does not provide same-sex couples with access to assisted reproduction methods or the option of surrogate pregnancies.
