ATHENS, Greece – After years of perseverance, Stella Belia, a 57-year-old drama teacher, is on the verge of witnessing her relentless fight for legal recognition reach its conclusion. Greek lawmakers are set to vote on legalizing same-sex marriage on Thursday, making Greece the first Orthodox Christian country to take this significant step.
Stella Belia, who has been advocating for same-sex marriage since she realized her own identity, expressed the relief she feels at the potential approval of the bill. Belia, who split from her female partner when her twin boys were 11, considers her ex-partner to be the boys’ other mother. Despite civil partnerships being extended to gay couples almost ten years ago in Greece, only biological parents are currently recognized as legal guardians in such relationships.
The issue of children’s rights and the publicized struggles of cancer survivors in same-sex relationships have played a crucial role in shaping public opinion in favor of the bill. However, the bill has triggered a strong reaction from the Orthodox Church, with several prominent bishops expressing opposition and aligning with far-right political parties and traditionalist groups to stage public demonstrations.
Despite facing dissent among conservatives over the bill, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government requires support from the centrist and left-wing opposition to secure the 151-vote minimum in the 300-member parliament. The government’s timing of the bill seems to have been carefully calculated to prop up Mitsotakis’ centrist credentials.
On a broader scale, the bill’s approval could mark a significant milestone in Greece’s social and political landscape. Protester Chara Giannakantonaki, who attended a rally held in front of parliament, expressed concerns about desecration of sacred elements of Greek society. On the other hand, for Chrysa Gkotsopoulou and Elena Kotsifi, who moved to England for work and now have a young daughter, the bill’s potential approval signifies the possibility of returning home for the first time in nearly a decade.
Thursday’s vote will not only have a profound impact on the lives of countless same-sex couples in Greece but also reflects the country’s shifting attitudes toward LGBTQ rights, moving it to “the right side of history,” as expressed by Chrysa Gkotsopoulou.