Fifteen of the European Union’s 27 members have already legalised same-sex marriage. It is permitted in 35 countries worldwide.
Greece has lagged behind European neighbours largely because of opposition from its powerful church. If the law passes this week, it would become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country, and the first in Europe’s southeast, to have marriage equality.
Same-sex couples would also be legally allowed to adopt children but not to have a baby through a surrogate – a recourse that is only legal here for heterosexual couples who have a medical need for assisted reproduction.
“Greece geographically is in the southeast, but culturally and politically it belongs to the West,” says Alex Patelis, the prime minister’s chief economic advisor and a member of the committee that drafted the marriage bill.
Mr Mitsotakis, recently storming to re-election, faces a weak opposition that has left him the space to tread onto their political turf without jeopardising his own position.
Mr Patelis says the bill is a cornerstone of the prime minister’s beliefs: “It’s often thought that human rights and equality are the purview of the parties of the left. This is coming from a centre-right party – and it’s important to recognise that equality under law and individual rights are also the ideology of the right.”
But Greek society is split. A recent poll for Proto Thema newspaper found 55% in favour of same-sex marriage and an even slimmer majority backing adoption.
Read Also: Fans urged to stop trolling Iwobi after Afcon loss
Up to 50 of Mr Mitsotakis’s 158 MPs are expected either to vote against the bill or to be conveniently absent from the chamber, meaning they can duck the vote.
A letter by the Church of Greece opposing the move was read out in morning mass across the country earlier this month, condemning what it said would “promote the abolition of fatherhood and motherhood… and put the sexual choices of homosexual adults above the interests of future children”.
One of the most outspoken prelates has been Bishop Seraphim of Piraeus. At the city’s Agii Anargiri Church, we watch as he leads a packed service, with worshippers in their Sunday best kissing icons and bowing heads.
He recently warned that he would block MPs who back the bill from his church, adding it would be preferable if they had not been born.
And, he said, he would refuse to baptise children of same-sex couples “to help them understand that what their guardians are doing is a sin.”
Outside parliament on Syntagma Square, opponents gather to protest against the bill, beneath banners reading “No children for perverts” and chanting “Take your hands off our kids”.
A video shows images including religious icons and, oddly, Bill Gates. Conspiracy theories about a new global order being imposed on Greece have blended with pious Greeks who believe their traditions are being destroyed.
“The Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman – and anything else is a big sin,” says Rallou Perperidou.
“Like Sodom and Gomorrah, God destroyed people practising homosexuality. God will forgive them if they accept what they do is wrong and denounce it.”
Kyriaki Chantzara, 38, is at the protest with her sister, who is expecting her tenth child.
“Homosexual people cannot give the right example for children because we think the existence of a female and male example is crucial to them. It is a human right for every child to have a father and a mother,” she says.
Back in northern Athens, four-year-old Niovi is practising her English with nursery rhymes. Her mums help as she reads “Hickory Dickory Dock, the mouse ran up the clock…”
As time ticks towards the parliamentary vote, the women say their excitement is building. “I’m amazingly happy about it,” says Christina.
“It’s the start of accepting diversity in general as a country and accepting that all people have equal rights. And for us it will mean reality, because I am Niovi’s mother, and this should be supported by the law. The legislation will bring truth to the reality.”
SOURCE: BBCNEWS
