Greece: Yes vote to marriage equality

The new law reforms allow same sex couples to get married while giving them the right to have children.

epa11155296 Demonstrators hold a transgender (L) and an LGBTQI+ flag as they take part in a rally supporting the voting of the "Equality in Civil Marriage" bill by the Greek parlaiment, at Syntagma, in Athens, Greece, 15 February 2024. The greek parliament is at its second day of debate and voting on the principle, articles and the whole of the draft law entitled: "Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions". With the changes brought about by the bill to be passed, the marriage of same-sex couples would be guaranteed. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU Credit: ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU/EPA

Greece becomes the 36th country in the world and the 16th in the European Union, to grant equal rights to same-sex couples, putting them on an equal legal footing with heterosexual couples.

With 176 "yes" votes out of 300 MPs, the proposed bill passed from parliament late last night.

Greece is now the first religiously Orthodox country to establish such rights.

Supporters of the same-sex marriage bill, react during a rally at central Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Greece's lawmakers approved a bill that allows same-sex marriage, making the country the first Orthodox Christian to do so. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas) Source: AP / Michael Varaklas/AP

In his first online post after the voting procedure, the Greek PM, Kiriakos Mitsotakis, said that: "This law is a milestone for human rights and reflects the current values of Greece: a progressive, democratic country committed to European values".