Backlash Against Same-Sex Marriage Law in Greece
The Orthodox Church of Greece is facing backlash for imposing a religious ban on two local lawmakers who supported a landmark law allowing same-sex civil marriage in Greece, the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Key Points
- Greece was the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage
- Church authorities accused local lawmakers of committing a spiritual and moral error
- Law confered full parental rights on married same-sex partners with children but precluded gay couples from parenthood through surrogate mothers
Pros
- Landmark law allowing same-sex civil marriage in Greece
- Conferred full parental rights on married same-sex partners with children
Cons
- Opposition from socially conservative Church of Greece
- Church authorities imposing religious ban on lawmakers who supported the law