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Greece has become the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage.

Same-sex couples will now also be legally allowed to adopt children after Thursday's 176-76 vote in parliament.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the new law would "boldly abolish a serious inequality".

Greek society has been split over the issue, with the Orthodox Church strongly opposed, saying it would corrupt social cohesion.

However, the vote has been welcomed by LGBTQ organisations in Greece.

Apostolis Karabairis is the founder of Thessaloniki Pride. He told Newsday: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very historical milestone鈥�It will solve all the practical problems that rainbow families have鈥�It also has a strong symbolic value because it shows LGBTQ citizens are not second-class citizens.鈥�

He added: 鈥淕reece is now ready to lead positive change in the region鈥�and join the equal rights coalitions worldwide.鈥�

Fifteen of the European Union's 27 members have already legalised same-sex marriage. It is permitted in 35 countries worldwide.

(Picture: Shows members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters celebrating in front of the Greek parliament, after the vote in favour of a bill which approved same-sex civil marriages, in Athens, Greece, February 15, 2024. Credit: Louisa Gouliamaki via Reuters.)

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