They also want adoption to be allowed
The vast majority of bodies that submitted their views on the draft law on equality in civil marriage, in the context of the consultation in the parliamentary committees, they state that: The marriage equality bill (“Equality in civil marriage, amendment of the Civil Code and other provisions”) comes as a culmination of the claims of the LGBTI+ community for legal equality in family relationships. The right to private and family life of same-sex persons and the prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation is validated through the possibility of marriage, which in turn leads to the possibility of recognizing their families. Despite this, the bill does not achieve the complete removal of all discrimination, some provisions need improvement, which if implemented will be even more inclusive and will create a broader framework of equality and equal treatment”.
Of the bodies that were summoned to formulate their positions, only the Federation of Women of Greece and the Supreme Confederation of Multiple Children declared against the bill. A critical parameter of today’s hearing is the position of the scientific bodies that stated that same-sex couples can raise happy children, just like heterosexual couples. Also their pointing out that their children LGBT today they receive serious discrimination and the secondary stigma, for the sexual orientation of their parents, which is why it is important that the draft law for marriage equality gives a clear social message for equal treatment, equality and inclusion.
One of the most special moments of the process of listening to organizations was the moment when Eleni Maravelia, Greek, member of the Board of the European Network of Organizations of LGBTI Families NELFA, who currently lives in Spain with her family, her husband and their two daughters, was introduced to the members of the three committees of the Parliament, in which the parliamentary debate on the provisions of the marriage equality bill is progressing, was reported to APE MPE.
“I live in Spain with my wife and our two daughters. I am the wife of Kate, the mother of Francesca and Alexandra, but I am also the daughter of Koulis and Dora, I am the sister of Elli, I am the niece of Takis and Christina, I am the aunt of Dorothea and Konstantinos. I could be your relative or your friend or your neighbor. The day after tomorrow I might be your cousin. How can you hand on heart deny me and my family equal rights. Why should my country treat me and my children as second class citizens”.
NEFLA welcomes the marriage equality bill which gives equal rights to all Greek men and women. “Greece, with the passing of this law, will become the 21st country in Europe and the 37th in the world, where the marriage of same-sex couples will be fully recognized. Marriage equality for all does not take away any rights from heterosexual couples, it simply enables same-sex couples who wish to marry, just like their fellow citizens. The bill ensures the rights of foreign families, marriages that have taken place abroad and the relationship between child and parent, as recognized abroad, will also be recognized in Greece. In this way, Greek children born abroad will be able to acquire Greek citizenship, and will not lose ties with their parents every time they visit their homeland. NEFLA recognizes that, in this way, Greece is implementing the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of the EU,” said the representative of the European Network of LGBTI Family Organizations NELFA
Mrs. Marvelia said that at the moment there are children in Greece who are growing up with two parents who happen to be LGBTQI. These children and the children who will be born in the future, do not have equal rights to their peers, they are second class children, which this bill will finally give them equal rights.
But as he unfortunately pointed out, this bill does not bring about any change in terms of access to medically assisted reproduction and same-sex couples of women and men cannot have a child with the help of science. Besides, Greece has legislation on surrogacy, but it discriminates, due to sexual orientation and gender, when it excludes male couples or even single men. Also, in the event that a transgender parent has made a gender transition, he has been issued a new identity card, his name should also be corrected on his child’s birth certificate, which is the most logical consequence.
Earlier, Andreas Pottakis, Ombudsman, pointed out that there was no prior cooperation with the Ombudsman, which is the national body for the defense of equality and equality and the protection of children. The Ombudsman characterized the expansion of protection against discrimination as extremely important, although as he pointed out the bill does not cover all the characteristics of discrimination. “This is a political decision that we applaud,” said Mr. Pottakis who pointed out, however, that not all gaps, existing and those that will arise, are covered, and in particular regarding the issue of extending the right to resort to surrogacy.
Stamatis Anthis, member of the Board of Directors of Egalite the LGTBI+ staff association of the European Institutions, characterized the bill as a violation of human rights. He emphasized that rights are given to a section of citizens who have been deprived of them for years and protects their children so that they grow up in conditions of safety and family life. He also said that the bill stops the categorization of children, into first and second category children, because of the sexual orientation of their parents. Mr Anthis however highlighted issues that are not being regulated, particularly issues relating to access to assisted reproduction.
Katerina Harokopou, scientific associate of the National Commission for Human Rights, welcomed the government’s legislative initiative, pointing out that since 2004 the national commission had called for equality in marriage, regardless of the gender of partners, with the aim of protecting children. Mrs. Harokopou requested that the term “same-sex” be replaced by the term “regardless of gender”.
Stella Belia, president of Rainbow Families, said the bill solves very serious problems. At the same time, however, he emphatically referred to the need for equal access to assisted reproduction and requested provisions to protect and not offend parental kinship.
Anna Apergi, president of the Transgender Support Association, pointed out that with a set provision, when a transgender person changes their details, these details are not changed on their child’s birth certificate, so that the child’s details are consistent with the parent’s details , with the consequence that the relationship between parent and child is not protected.
Vassilis Bozikas from the Hellenic Psychiatric Association emphasized that there is no taxonomic system that links sexual orientation to any psychiatric disorder. But stigma and stress can become important psycho-oppressive factors, so the removal of inequalities that exist today, moves in a positive direction.
Christina Skaloubaka, president of the Women’s Federation of Greece, warned that the bill paves the way for commercial surrogacy, for extreme and brutal exploitation of women, it is a bill for the profitability of business groups.
