Greece's first gay weddings were held yesterday when two couples, abetted by a sympathetic local mayor, defied the threat of criminal charges and the wrath of the Orthodox church to tie the knot on a tiny Aegean island.

A gay and a 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 (OLKE).

"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 neighboring island said the sight of same-sex couples would upset "good families" on their holidays.

Vlami said 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, said he was determined to defend what he saw as basic human rights.

The Justice Ministry said the marriages were illegal and all involved would face charges.

"The law does not allow marriage between homosexuals," a Justice Ministry official who requested anonymity said. "The case will go to court; the mayor of Tilos will face charges."

But OLKE said it hoped the weddings would help change attitudes towards homosexuals in Greece, which has long preferred to turn a blind eye to homosexuality rather than acknowledge gay rights.

Agencies

(China Daily 06/04/2008 page10)