Greece to legally recognize same-sex couples

Same-sex couples will now be legally recognized in Greece.
The country’s parliament on Tuesday (22 December) passed a new civil partnership bill by a vote of 194-55.
It makes Greece the 26th European country to recognize same-sex partnerships.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), a worldwide federation of 1100 member LGBTI organizations from 110 countries, cheered the vote.
‘This is the realization of years of political promises,’ said ILGA-Europe Executive Board co-Chair Joyce Hamilton.
‘Successive Greek governments had talked about legally recognizing same-sex couples and I’m thrilled to finally see these positive words translated into meaningful change for couples in Greece.’
ILGA-Europe Executive Director Evelyne Paradis called the vote ‘the culmination of years of civil society campaigning and advocacy work.’
Civil partnerships have been available to heterosexual couples in Greece since 2009.