Greece Gay Events and Hotspots
Gay Country Rank: 49/193
Greece has seen a shift towards greater acceptance of the lgbtq+QIA+ community in recent years. According to a report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) Greece was recognized as the leading country in terms of progress made between 2014 2018.
In our guide for lgbtq+ expats in Greece we will delve into the countrys stance on lgbtq+Q rights discuss the rights granted to lgbtq+ expats and highlight some of the neighborhoods and islands for living.
The landscape of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbtq+) rights in Greece has undergone changes since the early 2000s positioning it as one of the more progressive nations in Southern Europe. While instances of discrimination have decreased over time challenges unique to lgbtq+ individuals still exist within society. However public attitudes towards homosexuality in Greece are generally seen as minded with legal recognition granted to same sex partnerships since 2015.
Sex sexual activity has been legally permitted for both men and women in Greece since 1951. In addition to discrimination laws introduced in employment settings in 2005 these protections have been extended to encompass gender identity issues. The country boasts hate speech and hate crime legislation that is among the most comprehensive, across Europe.
In 2015 same sex couples in Greece were granted unions, which are also known as cohabitation agreements. This allowed them to access some. Not all, of the legal rights and protections that married opposite sex couples have. In 2017 transgender individuals gained the right to have their gender identity recognized and change their sex without requiring surgical changes to their genitals for updating important identity documents. A non binary individual was legally given the right to a gender name by a county court in Greece in February 2018. Additionally in May 2018 the Greek Parliament passed a law granting same sex couples the ability to provide care for children.
The capital city of Athens showcases a gay culture, particularly in the Gazi gay neighborhood and also in Thessaloniki and various Greek islands. Greece has become a lgbtq+ tourist destination within Europe with establishments tailored towards the lgbtq+ community scattered across islands, like Mykonos known internationally for its gay and lesbian scene. Annually four lgbtq+ pride parades are organized in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Heraklion. The city of Crete island.
The biggest one, Athens Pride had a turnout in 2015 with notable guests such as the President of the Hellenic Parliament and the Mayor of Athens, in attendance.