The Greek conservative government will submit a bill to Parliament. Children conceived by surrogate mothers should remain banned.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, of the conservative New Democracy party, announced that his government would present a bill on marriage equality to Parliament. Married same-sex couples will now be able to adopt children currently in institutions, but they will not be able to have children via surrogate mothers.
Lawyer Vassilis Sotiropoulos, who represents many same-sex couples who have (or wish to have) a child, thinks this proposed law is not important.
“There are many LGBT+ couples with children who are waiting for this law. The recognition of their relationship through marriage offers legal protection to children since both spouses will be recognized as their guardians. It is therefore something that concerns the rights of Human rights and in particular the rights of children which remain practically invisible.”
Civil marriage has been one of the main demands of the LGBTI+ community for many years. Every year, during the Pride March in Athens, NGOs and activists demand full equality.
Stella Biella is a kindergarten teacher and mother of two teenagers. She is also the head of “Rainbow Families”, an NGO aimed at LGBTQI+ parents who wish to become parents or who want to defend their right to parenthood.
She also believes that the new law will provide protection for children.
“Now imagine not being able to pick up your child from school, since only one (spouse) is considered a parent. Not being able to accompany him to the hospital, not being able to travel with him. From now on, our relationship with our children will be recognized by law. This is vitally important. Until now, our children were discriminated against because their parents belong to the LGBTI+ community.”
According to government sources, the law will be submitted to Parliament for a vote by the end of February.