Since the Syriza Party electoral victory in January 2015 the country has gone through political, social and finial upheavals not seen in recent history. Strikes, protests, public demonstrations and financial brinksmanship have unsettled the usually staid culture in that ancient country where democracy was first invented. What does all this portend for the LGBT community
Male homosexuality and female prostitution were decriminalized in 1951 by the new Criminal Code adopted in 1950 and male prostitution has been legal since May 2006. Anti-discrimination laws have been extended to other spheres of culture including gender identity. Hate speech and hate crime legislation is one of the most rigid and comprehensive in Europe. In 2015, civil unions were legalized for same-sex couples, making households headed by same-sex couples eligible for many protections available to married opposite-sex couples. Legislation against discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation was adopted in early 2005 in accordance with the European Union Directive. Although there is no official recognition of same-sex couples, a 1982 law that legalized civil marriage between “persons”, without specifying gender, allows in theory for same sex marriages; this issue is very contested within the government. Athens has a number of LGBT associations and a developing gay village in the Gazi, Athens neighborhood. A gay pride event, the ‘Athens Pride’ and an international Gay and Lesbian film festival, the ‘Outview’, are held annually. The gay scene in the island of Mykonos and the lesbian scene in Eressos, Lesbos are famous internationally.
Name: Greece
Population: 11216800
Capital: Athens - Pop. 750000
Area: 131990 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Greek
Religion: Greek Orthodox
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 30
Gay Greece–Crete
A Gay Traveller on Crete, Greece: Traveler and writer Tim Mitchel sent this first hand report from Greece’s largest Mediterranean island. By Tim Mitchell Special report to GlobalGayz.com June 2013 Say ‘Greece’ to most gay men and they will immediately say ‘Mykonos’, even if they haven’t been there. But of course Mykonos is not Greece
Gay E.Orthodox Web Site
To view the Gay E.Orthodox Web Site click here
Gay Mykonos
By Stuart Haggas Passport Magazine July 2009 Said to be named after Mykons, the grandson of the god Apollo, the Greek island of Mykonos is a legend in its own right. The ancient Greek celebration of homosexuality and male beauty, and their penchant for decadence and debauchery, still flourish here during the midsummer heat. Famous
Gay and Ancient Greece
Intro: Among the many splendors of Greece, the city of Athens and the islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Lesbos head the list for lesbigay pilgrims. For those in search of a sexually muffled pilgrimage, try a boat ferry to the monastic peninsula of all-male Mount Athos. Between these two different worlds is a Greek culture slowly changing to accommodate new concepts of Human Rights with Orthodox traditions.
