The Greek Parliament approved a bill granting same-sex couples the right to a civil union, becoming one of the last European countries to give them legal recognition after years of opposition from the influential Orthodox church.
The new Greek law resolves property and inheritance issues, but makes no provision for the adoption of children.
"This is an important day for human rights", Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told the chamber. Tsipras said the bill gives same-sex couples "equal rights in life and death", terminating a practice of "backwardness and shame" for Greece.
The European Union (EU) currently has 28 members. Same-sex marriage is legal in twelve of them: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia (effective date pending), Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland). Civil unions are legal in nine EU nations: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Malta and now Greece. No partnership recognitions exist in seven EU nations: Bulgaria, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.
The bill was approved by wide majority 194-55
Well done Greece!
From Joe my God: "Earlier this month an Orthodox bishop called on his followers to literally spit on any lawmaker who votes in favor of civil unions, saying, “Deprecate them! Vote against them! They are not human! They are freaks of nature! Mentally and spiritually sick! They are mentally insane! Don’t hesitate, then! Wherever you see them, spit on them! Don’t leave them in peace! They are dangerous!”
ReplyDeleteThe vote was 194-55 with 51 MPs absent.
That Bishop is going to have an awful lot of spitting to do -- that is unless he gets his face punched in if he tries it.
By David Williams:
ReplyDeleteAbout time to my dear friend
By ximo ferrer tena:
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
the bishop's words are really insane! omg
ReplyDelete