'We know couples who didn't make it' - Greece's first same-sex marriages 'a message' to LGBT community

Danai Deligeorges and Alexia Beziki are one of the first couples to wed in Greece after parliament passed a bill last month allowing same-sex couples to tie the knot, vindicating a decades-long LGBT campaign over marriage equality.

The couple, who married on Thursday at Athens City Hall in a civil wedding, said that their marriage is a message to all those fighting for LGBT rights over the decades, that love conquers all.

"We are lucky enough to live through this decade that this happened, because we know also couples that they didn't manage to get there," Beziki said ahead of the ceremony.

"Now we're able to confirm with a statement that: You know what? You weren't doing all these things for nothing," added Deligeorges. "Love wins."

The two met nine years ago. Deligeorges, 37, proposed to Beziki in 2022 when a wedding was not an option for LGBT couples in Greece, a largely conservative country where the powerful Orthodox Church traditionally opposes LGBT reforms.

"I don't know what's going on in Greece… No matter what, I would like to get married to you," Deligeorges recalled telling Beziki.

But the final decision came with the birth of their child days before the parliamentary vote on February 15. Their civil union means that both will be legally recognised by the state as the child's parents.

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"I felt seen," said Beziki, a 43-year old actor. "It was a victory also for all the people who believe that all individuals should be seen for what they choose."

Last week, the very first wedding that took place in another Athens district was held under discreet police presence as the couple had received threats, according to Greek police.

Beziki and Deligeorges said they were not nervous about the ceremony itself but concerns about racist behaviour had crossed their minds. "I'm very tired of people interfering with my life," said Beziki.

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