Greece has marked a historic milestone by becoming the first majority-Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law, a move that raises questions about the stance of other Orthodox nations on LGBTQ+ rights.
While Greece’s decision may stand alone in the near future, signs of change are emerging in some Orthodox countries. Montenegro and Cyprus, though small in size, have previously authorized same-sex unions. However, civil unions remain a contentious issue in larger Orthodox nations, particularly Russia and its allies.
The Orthodox Church, despite lacking a centralized authority, has maintained a united opposition to same-sex relationships within both religious and civil contexts. Surveys conducted in majority Orthodox countries reveal widespread public opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage.
In Greece, where the Orthodox Church holds significant influence, the recent legalization of same-sex marriage faced opposition from religious leaders. However, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the autonomy of the Greek state from theological beliefs in implementing the law.
Other Orthodox nations present a mixed picture regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In Ukraine, same-sex couples are unable to register their status legally, despite efforts to introduce civil partnerships. Meanwhile, Russia, under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership and close alliance with the Orthodox Church, has actively restricted LGBTQ+ rights, including outlawing same-sex marriages and suppressing LGBTQ+ activism.
In Balkan nations like Serbia and Montenegro, efforts to address LGBTQ+ rights have faced obstacles, with the Serbian Orthodox Church opposing same-sex marriages. Romania and Moldova, Orthodox-majority countries with EU aspirations, also lack legal recognition for same-sex unions.
Bulgaria, another Orthodox-majority country, maintains a largely hostile attitude towards LGBTQ+ rights, with public opinion and the Orthodox Church condemning same-sex marriages. The European Court of Human Rights has called on Bulgaria to legally recognize same-sex couples, but the country has yet to comply.
As Greece pioneers the legalization of same-sex marriage among Orthodox nations, the path to LGBTQ+ rights in other Orthodox countries remains uncertain, with deeply ingrained social, religious, and political factors shaping the landscape of acceptance and legal recognition.
(Reported by Smith from Pittsburgh and Litvinova from Tallinn, Estonia. Contributions from AP writers Gec in Belgrade, Karmanau in Tallinn, McGrath in Bucharest, Novikov in Kyiv, and Toshkov in Sofia for AP)
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
