Greek Gays Win Court Fight Over Partnerships

ATHENS(AP) ? Gay rights advocates in Greece have welcomed a decision by a European court condemning the country for failing to include same-sex couples in 2008 legislation that introduced civil partnerships. A panel of judges at the Council of Europe's Court of Human Rights ruled the legislation was discriminatory and ordered the state to pay plaintiffs 5,000 euros ($6,670) each in damages as well as some court costs. The civil partnerships are favored by couples seeking legal rights outside marriage or who are deterred by lengthy divorce procedures. Grigoris Vallianatos, a prominent gay rights advocate, called it the most important legal victory for gays in Greece in decades.

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