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2 Greek couples risk jail for gay weddings

Wed 4 Jun 2008 In: International News View at Wayback

The Justice Ministry in Greece says two gay weddings performed on a tiny Aegean island by the local mayor were illegal and that all involved would face court. "The law does not allow marriage between homosexuals," a Justice Ministry official who requested anonymity told Reuters. "The case will go to court; the mayor of Tilos will face charges." One gay and one lesbian couple took advantage of the failure of Greek civil law to specify gender in matrimony, to wed at the municipal offices of the southeast Aegean island of Tilos. "We are very moved and happy that we found someone to make our dream come true," said Evangelia Vlami, one of the newlyweds and spokeswoman for Greece's Gay and Lesbian Community action group. "I am proud to be the first Greek Lesbian to get married". A Greek Orthodox priest described their homosexuality as a curse and the mayor of a neighbouring island said the sight of same-sex couples would upset "good families" on their holidays. Vlami told Reuters her wedding took place early in the morning and two gay men followed soon after. Details had been kept under wraps until all official documentation was signed for fear the ceremonies might have been disrupted. The weddings were held only a few days after a senior Greek prosecutor said the mayor of Tilos would face criminal charges if he officiated; but the mayor, Tassos Aliferis, told Reuters he was determined to defend what he saw as basic human rights. More on this story is available on the link below.    

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Wednesday, 4th June 2008 - 11:09am

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