This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7432949.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Greece sees first gay 'marriage' Greece sees first gay 'marriage'
(about 1 hour later)
The mayor of a Greek island has defied the threat of prosecution to carry out the country's first gay "marriages".The mayor of a Greek island has defied the threat of prosecution to carry out the country's first gay "marriages".
Two men and two women were "married" by Tassios Alfieris in the ceremonies on the eastern Aegean island of Tilos. Two men and two women were "married" by Tassos Alfieris in the ceremonies on the eastern Aegean island of Tilos.
Mr Alfieris conducted the proceedings despite Greece's top prosecutor having issued a directive saying that same-sex weddings were outlawed.Mr Alfieris conducted the proceedings despite Greece's top prosecutor having issued a directive saying that same-sex weddings were outlawed.
One of the women involved, Evangelia Vlami, was bubbling with excitement as she told the BBC she was "so happy".One of the women involved, Evangelia Vlami, was bubbling with excitement as she told the BBC she was "so happy".
"From this day, discrimination against gays in Greece is on the decline. We did this to encourage other gay people to take a stand," she said after the ceremony held at sunrise on Tuesday."From this day, discrimination against gays in Greece is on the decline. We did this to encourage other gay people to take a stand," she said after the ceremony held at sunrise on Tuesday.
HostilityHostility
However, the weddings are bound to cause a huge backlash in Greece, says the BBC's Athens correspondent Malcolm Brabant.However, the weddings are bound to cause a huge backlash in Greece, says the BBC's Athens correspondent Malcolm Brabant.
Although homosexual practices were widely tolerated in ancient Greece, the modern nation is exceedingly hostile towards gays, he adds.Although homosexual practices were widely tolerated in ancient Greece, the modern nation is exceedingly hostile towards gays, he adds.
I still can't believe that someone would be prosecuted for defending human rights Tassios AlfierisMayor of TilosI still can't believe that someone would be prosecuted for defending human rights Tassios AlfierisMayor of Tilos
The conservative Greek Orthodox Church has expressed strong objections, and the country's Justice Minister, Sotiris Hatzigakis, said he believed gay marriages were illegal.The conservative Greek Orthodox Church has expressed strong objections, and the country's Justice Minister, Sotiris Hatzigakis, said he believed gay marriages were illegal.
"If the Tilos mayor proceeds, he will have committed the criminal act of 'breach of duty'," Supreme Court prosecutor George Sanidas warned on Friday."If the Tilos mayor proceeds, he will have committed the criminal act of 'breach of duty'," Supreme Court prosecutor George Sanidas warned on Friday.
"We will go ahead despite the difficulties," retorted Mr Alfieris. "I still can't believe that someone would be prosecuted for defending human rights.""We will go ahead despite the difficulties," retorted Mr Alfieris. "I still can't believe that someone would be prosecuted for defending human rights."
However, leaders of other municipalities who had previously considered officiating at gay weddings have backed down.However, leaders of other municipalities who had previously considered officiating at gay weddings have backed down.
And while Ms Vlami was prepared to be identified, her partner was not.And while Ms Vlami was prepared to be identified, her partner was not.
Similarly, only one half of the male partnership, Dimitris Tsaibrounis, was happy to be named.Similarly, only one half of the male partnership, Dimitris Tsaibrounis, was happy to be named.
Gay campaigners believe they have found a loophole in Greek civil law, which does not clarify the gender of people wishing to marry.Gay campaigners believe they have found a loophole in Greek civil law, which does not clarify the gender of people wishing to marry.
But Greece has formally legalised neither gay marriage nor the "registered partnerships" becoming more common in other European countries.But Greece has formally legalised neither gay marriage nor the "registered partnerships" becoming more common in other European countries.
The Netherlands offered full civil marriage rights to gay couples in 2001 and Belgium followed in 2003. Spain legalised gay marriage in 2005. The UK has legalised civil partnerships but not gay marriage.The Netherlands offered full civil marriage rights to gay couples in 2001 and Belgium followed in 2003. Spain legalised gay marriage in 2005. The UK has legalised civil partnerships but not gay marriage.