Lesvos, an island with a rich history of celebrating diverse love, has marked a new chapter with the first civil marriage of two women following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Greece in February 2024.
The historic wedding ceremony took place in Eresos, a location with deep roots in LGBTQ+ history and a reputation as a symbol of freedom and respect for diversity. Canadian citizens Megan Gnanasihamany and Hannah Jackson were married by Afroditi Vati, the Deputy Mayor of Tourism for the municipality of West Lesvos.
Related: The Greek Island of Lesbos and the Origin of the Word ‘Lesbian’
Women’s marriage a “historic moment” for Lesvos
The Deputy Mayor expressed her joy, stating that this was a “historic moment” for the region and a significant step forward for “equality and acceptance.”
The couple’s choice of Eresos was particularly meaningful, as the town is the birthplace of the ancient poet Sappho, whose poetry is considered an early celebration of female love. Eresos also hosts an international women’s festival every September, attracting hundreds of participants.
While this is the first civil marriage of women in Lesvos since the passage of the new law, it is not the first same-sex wedding ceremony on the island. In March of the previous year, a women’s wedding was held at the town hall of Mytilene.
Additionally, in the past, celebrations for same-sex weddings had occurred in various parts of the island, including Eresos and Eftalou, but these were for unions that had been legalized in other countries or were symbolic ceremonies.
The new law, which made Greece the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage, allows couples to have their unions legally recognized within the country, a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Greece.
Related: Greece on the Rainbow Map: Where it Stands on LGBTQ+ Rights
