Greece Affirms Same-Sex Adoption Rights in Landmark Ruling
Greece’s Council of State upholds same-sex marriage and adoption rights.
ATHENS, GREECE — The Plenary Session of Greece’s Council of State ruled on Friday that married same-sex couples have the constitutional right to adopt minors, a decision the court said “does not violate the canons and traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church.”
The ruling, which has sparked debate across the country, also concluded that such adoption “does not violate the constitutional protection of childhood” or the “paramount best interests of the child.” Critics have questioned whether these decisions fully respect longstanding social and religious norms that have traditionally defined family and marriage in Greece.
In addition, the Council of State determined that marriage between persons of the same sex is consistent with both the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. While supporters hail the decision as a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights, opponents argue that it represents a significant shift in Greek family law, potentially challenging cultural and religious traditions that have guided the nation for centuries.
Previously, the UOJ reported that multiple Mount Athos monasteries refused to welcome the Greek PM over the same‑sex marriage law.
