Recognition of same-sex unions in Greece
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Whether same-sex marriage is recognised in Greece is a politically disputed matter.
[edit] Opinions
The government of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis New Democracy is opposed to same-sex marriage. While the New Democracy-led government has introduced legislation that offers several rights to unmarried couples[citation needed] this explicitly includes only different-sex couples, and it is the first time in the world that a civil union law has passed only for heterosexual couples. This law is expected to be declared unconsitutional or agains EU principles if brought to Greek or European Courts. [1]
The leftist party Synaspismos has committed itself to support same-sex marriage according to media reports in Athens.[citation needed] Alekos Alavanos, the leader of Synaspismos said that the coalition backs the fight against all kinds of discrimination and supports the free expression of sexual orientation including the legalization of same-sex marriages.
Gay rights group OLKE announced its intention to sue Greek municipalities that refuse to marry gay couples, pointing out a loophole in the 1982 law that legalized civil marriage between "persons", without reference to gender.[2]
Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens has hinted that he believes same-sex civil marriage is a matter for the state, saying that "there is a need to change with the times", but the church has previously opposed gay rights in general and the idea of same-sex civil unions or marriage in particular.[3]
[edit] First homosexual marriage
On 3 June 2008, the mayor of Tilos, Anastasios Aliferis, married two homosexual couples, two lesbians and two gay men, citing the legal loophole. He was heavily criticized by clergymen of the Church of Greece, which in the past had also opposed the introduction of heterosexual civil marriage, the original intent of the 1982 law. Justice Minister Sotirios Hatzigakis declared the Tilos marriages "invalid" and Supreme Court prosecutor Georgios Sanidas warned Mayor Aliferis of the legal repercussions of his "breach of duty", but he said he had "no intention of annulling the marriages".[4][5][6] The government has filed a court motion to annul the two same-sex marriages, stirring demonstrations and protests among the GBLT community. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Greek gays demonstrate for marriage, 365gay.com, 28 September 2008
- ^ Greek gays find loophole in marriage law, Pink News, 13 March 2008
- ^ "Gay Greeks cite legal loophole to tie the knot", International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on 16 March 2008.
- ^ dieStandard.at
- ^ AFP: First Greek gay marriages spark judicial battle
- ^ BBC NEWS | Europe | Greece sees first gay 'marriage'
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