Greece has voted to legalise same-sex marriage, becoming the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to do so.
In an historic vote, same-sex couples will be able to marry and adopt children. The bill passed after a 176-76 vote on Thursday.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says the new law will “boldly abolish a serious inequality”.
It has however split opinion in the country, with a fierce resistance from the Orthodox Church.
Church supporters held a protest rally in Athens ahead of the vote.
Many supporters displayed banners, held crosses, and read prayers. While the head of the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Ieronymos, said the move would “corrupt the homeland’s social cohesion”.
The bill required a majority to pass through the 300-member parliament, reports the BBC.
Mitsotakis was a champion of the bill but required support from opposition to get it through parliament, with MPs from his own centre-right government opposing the law.
He said: “People who have been invisible will finally be made visible around us, and with them, many children will finally find their rightful place
“The reform makes the lives of several of our fellow citizens better, without taking away anything from the lives of the many.”
Of the European Union’s 27 member states, 15 have now legalised same-sex marriage. It is now permitted in 35 countries across the globe.
Due to the opposition from the Orthodox Church, Greece was seen to be lagging behind its neighbours. It has however become the first country in south-eastern Europe to legalise same-sex marriage.
