Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage, despite opposition from the influential, socially conservative Greek Church.

A cross-party majority of 176 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted late Thursday in favor of the landmark bill drafted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ‘ center-right government.

“This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”
“People who have been invisible will finally be made visible around us. And with them, many children (will) finally find their rightful place,” Mitsotakis told lawmakers ahead of the evening vote.

The bill confers full parental rights on married same-sex partners with children.

Source: AP

[https://apnews.com/article/greece-same-sex-marriage-law-parliament-church-5be190dd6a7628d7a057be683256b8c2](https://apnews.com/article/greece-same-sex-marriage-law-parliament-church-5be190dd6a7628d7a057be683256b8c2)