The debate in Parliament is expected to continue until dawn on the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill, as there are 95 MPs who have registered on the list of speakers in order to intervene, while tomorrow the political leaders will also be appointed. Earlier, objections of unconstitutionality filed by Hellenic Solution, “Spartiates” and “Niki” against the bill were rejected.

“Sdaily we do not decide the change or the evolution of society, inside this room. Social change, evolution, progress happens within society. They have happened within society. Society changes and evolves without the permission of parliament. For this reason, no one has the right to deprive any of our colleagues of this fundamental freedom and joy,” he said, referring to the decision that the plenary is called to take on marriage equality.

This bill, said Mr. Skertsos, is proof of the protection, not only of gay rights but also of our very right as a society to progress and evolve. “It is not democratically acceptable that our fellow human beings, with same-sex sexual orientation, have fewer individual, political or social rights than the majority,” said Mr. Skertsos and added that it is inhumane to be punished and sentenced to life in prison dark and on the fringes, because they are different from the majority, while not harming anyone, with their personal and family lives.

It is unfair to recognize only a few prominent homosexuals the right to eccentricitybut not everyone the inalienable right to normality, said the Minister of State, which ultimately breeds security, prosperity and happiness.

To the deputies of the New Democracy

Shortly before finishing his speech, the Minister of State addressed the MPs of the New Democracy, several of whom, either disagree or are inclined to abstain from voting, on the bill for equality in civil marriage.

“I am addressing the deputies of the New Democracy, we vote for marriage equalitynot against our political understanding and social tradition, but precisely because we believe in tradition and social cohesion, because this is how we integrate the development of social rights into our tradition and ultimately this is how we create a stronger society, a stronger homeland, a more strong nation”, said the Minister of State and added: “Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis voted in favor of the Coexistence Pact, just a few weeks before he was elected leader of New Democracy. He was then elected president of New Democracy and twice elected prime minister of the country. This happened because he has convinced the majority of Greek society that he works and that he is interested in all citizens, without discrimination, without exclusion. This is what the citizens demand from us. To work every day to make Greece a fairer, more prosperous country, a stronger and more resilient homeland, where our citizens will feel free, creative, safe and happy.”

But at the same time he addressed everyone in the plenary hall. “Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of parents raising children with a same-sex sexual orientation. And who love them deeply. But at the same time some of them feel fear and anxiety and doubt. They are our fellow human beings, next door. They may even be our relatives. They are concerned that their children are not recognized as equal members of society and they worry about it. They have every right to be concerned about that. Let’s think of the relief that all these people will feel when they see that the state finally recognizes their children as equals. Let’s give love a chance. Let’s give a chance to love ourselves and those around us more. It is a revolutionary act”said Akis Schertsos.

“The family exists, evolves, transforms, and the legislator is called upon to follow these developments. People putting their lives together don’t ask parliament about how to make their dreams come true, whatever they may be. They already do. It has already been done”, said the Minister of State and underlined that “from Shakespeare to Erotokritos, young people exceeded the law – the father in those times – to fulfill themselves in love and dreams”.

“Marriage for love and founding a family, on the model of love, is the core of modern society, the nuclear family and modern man. It is what differentiates us, from the Middle Ages and from antiquity. Our legal culture may not examine the causes and motives of marriage, but it ensures in all its dimensions, the free will and autonomy of the human being. It therefore allows a bad marriage to end. It also allows marriage to be emotionally motivated, if not primarily emotionally motivated, to be a person’s path to their own happiness, in agreement and coincidence of their free will with the will of another person. This synchronicity, of the need of two people to co-exist, this is marriage”said Mr. Schertsos.

The Constitution does not define the type of family, it leaves the freedom to each person to choose freely and from then on, the state must protect the family, without discrimination, said the Minister of State and thanked the Prime Minister for the honor of being the proposer of the bill for equality in civil marriage, regardless of gender and sexual orientation.

Referring to the children of same-sex couples, Mr. Skertsos underlined that today there are many Greek men and women who are recognized as same-sex parents with children in other European countries. But as soon as they cross the border and enter their homeland, this status ceases to exist. “Their children are left unprotected in everyday life. They are left unprotected if something bad happens to them“, he said and wondered: “is it in our tradition to leave children unprotected while they are Greek children? Shouldn’t we give them Greek citizenship? Is it in our tradition not to give them the right to health? In insurance? In the inheritance? Like the rest of the kids? Just because their parents have a different sexual orientation than the majority?’