Greece has become the first Orthodox Christian nation to legalise same-s+x marriage despite opposition from the church and some politicians, The Guardian is reporting.
In a rare display of parliamentary consensus, 176 MPs from across the political spectrum voted in favour of the bill on Thursday. Another 76 rejected the reform while two abstained from the vote and 46 were not present.
The Athens parliament passed the landmark reform amid scenes of both jubilation and fury in the country. Members of the LGBTQ+ community, many unable to contain their emotion, watched from the galleries above.
The bill required a simple majority to pass in the 300-member parliament. The vote, which came after two days of heated debate and weeks of public reactions will now legally allow same-s+x couples to adopt children as well.
“We have waited years for this,” said the prominent gay activist Stella Belia of legislation that will not only allow same-s+x couples to exchange vows in civil ceremonies but also to adopt children. “It’s a historic moment. A lot of us weren’t sure it would ever come,” she said.
People in favour of the vote celebrated and cheered on the streets of the capital, Athens, describing it as ‘bold’ and ‘long overdued’ while those who opposed, including many identifying with the powerful Orthodox Church, rallied in protest describing the reform as ‘antisocial’ and ‘unchristian’’. They displayed banners, held crosses, read prayers and sang passages from the Bible.
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