Parliament denies recognition of same sex partners
04/08/2009
Submitted by
Themis Katsagiannis
Last week the greek parliament debated the recognition of same sex partners. The proposal came from the main opposition party, the socialists and it would include both same and different sex partners. It was supported by the left party Syriza, while the governing conservative party (ND), the communists (CPoG) and the extreme right wing party (LAOS) rejected the proposal. Last November the government passed a registered partnership law only for different sex couples, the only country in the world to do so.
During the debate the representative of the extreme right wing party mr. Georgiou said that the registered partnership law is a threat to women and to family. The conservative MP who participated mrs. Papakosta said that the proposal is racist and discriminatory against homosexuals and that the government is considering the recognition of same sex couples without revealing any more details. She also said that the whether Greece respects human rights or not, does not depend on the treatment of homosexuals.
Of the two left parties, the communists did not support the proposal. The representative mrs. Mela said that "historically the core of marriage was to ensure reproduction and the perpetuation of the species and the protection of children and has nothing to do with sexual relations or loving relationships, partnerships, etc." She added that if same sex couples want to have the rights of marriage they could enter into private contracts (which is not true),and so recognizing same sex couples is not necessary.
Even the representative of the socialist party did not escape homophobic remarks saying that "same sex couples are de facto excluded from the creation of families."
Greece's main lgbt group OLKE responded by saying "we respect the homophobic views of ND, LAOS AND CPoG, but by turning a blind eye to the problems of same sex couples they do not do politics." OLKE's press release continued by criticising the homophobic views of the greek parties and mentioning the pressing need of many same sex couples that have referred to the group to have their relationships recognized officially by the state.
OLKE is currently supporting the court cases of several couples to have their relationships recognized through marriage in the greek courts and registered parnerships in the European Court of Human Rights.
During the debate the representative of the extreme right wing party mr. Georgiou said that the registered partnership law is a threat to women and to family. The conservative MP who participated mrs. Papakosta said that the proposal is racist and discriminatory against homosexuals and that the government is considering the recognition of same sex couples without revealing any more details. She also said that the whether Greece respects human rights or not, does not depend on the treatment of homosexuals.
Of the two left parties, the communists did not support the proposal. The representative mrs. Mela said that "historically the core of marriage was to ensure reproduction and the perpetuation of the species and the protection of children and has nothing to do with sexual relations or loving relationships, partnerships, etc." She added that if same sex couples want to have the rights of marriage they could enter into private contracts (which is not true),and so recognizing same sex couples is not necessary.
Even the representative of the socialist party did not escape homophobic remarks saying that "same sex couples are de facto excluded from the creation of families."
Greece's main lgbt group OLKE responded by saying "we respect the homophobic views of ND, LAOS AND CPoG, but by turning a blind eye to the problems of same sex couples they do not do politics." OLKE's press release continued by criticising the homophobic views of the greek parties and mentioning the pressing need of many same sex couples that have referred to the group to have their relationships recognized officially by the state.
OLKE is currently supporting the court cases of several couples to have their relationships recognized through marriage in the greek courts and registered parnerships in the European Court of Human Rights.
