Same-sex couples across Greece are getting married after the country legalized marriage equality in February.
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00:00 Alexia, do you want to say something?
00:02 Yes.
00:04 This is the absolute of love.
00:26 Respect, appreciation, acceptance, comfort, sweetness, humour.
00:35 And you know what? That's why love wins.
00:42 It's a very moving moment. I think we all experienced it.
00:51 We are very happy that the children shared this very special moment with us.
00:56 The happiest moment of their lives, as we often say, for marriage.
01:00 And of course it is our duty to ensure that every citizen of Athens has the freedom and the right to live and love as they choose.
01:08 Dele Georgis and Biziki met nine years ago.
01:11 Engaged in 2022, their legal union was finally made possible after a landmark bill passed Greece's parliament in February,
01:20 making it the 21st European country to legalise same-sex marriage.
01:25 It's a right that activists have been fighting for for decades,
01:29 in a socially conservative country where the Greek Orthodox Church has significant social and political influence.
01:36 All those people who fought for this, and now we're able to confirm with a statement that, you know what?
01:45 You were doing all these things, I mean, not for nothing.
01:50 I'm here to confirm that this is it, and you're right.
01:55 So, love wins. True. Love wins.
01:59 More than just the right to marry, February's bill also allows same-sex couples to adopt children.
02:05 An important detail for Dele Georgis and Biziki.
02:09 They had their first child just days before the parliamentary vote, and now both can be legal parents to their baby.
02:16 The couple believes the bill is a victory not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for equality in general.
02:24 So it was not like a victory of gay people.
02:28 It was a victory for all the people who believe that all the individuals should be seen for what they choose.
02:35 While the change in the law is cause for celebration, campaigners say there's more work to be done to reach full equality,
02:42 as the bill stops short of allowing same-sex couples to use surrogacy or assisted reproduction.
02:48 For now, though, same-sex couples like Dele Georgis and Biziki can celebrate bringing their relationships one giant step closer to full equality.
02:57 Eason Chen and Reece Ayres for Taiwan Plus.
03:00 us.
03:00 (audience laughing)