Orlando LGBT+, a scientific organisation specialising in LGBTQ+ mental health, has issued a scathing response to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ claim that “there are only two genders, male and female”, calling it a “far-right argument” that fuels reactionary voices.
In a statement titled “The prime minister of far-right arguments”, the organisation criticises Mitsotakis for aligning himself with “those who exploit and reinforce far-right rhetoric for their own political gain”, warning that “history shows that the relativisation of human rights goes hand in hand with the strengthening of far-right and reactionary voices”.
Orlando LGBT+ statement in full:
“Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement that there are ‘only two genders’, accompanied by an ironic sneer, just one day after Trump signed the same decree in the US, officially aligns him with the axis of those who reproduce and reinforce far-right arguments (of course for their own political benefit), to the detriment of equality, dignity and well-being—not just for LGBTQI+ people, but for everyone.”
The organisation urges Greece’s opposition parties to take “an explicit and concrete stand in favour of self-determination and the rights of trans, non-binary and intersex people”, though it expresses doubt that they will do so.
“Unfortunately, the prime minister’s stance does not surprise us,” the statement continues. “We have repeatedly emphasised that the instrumentalisation of vulnerable groups and human rights cannot have good long-term results.”
The organisation also accuses Mitsotakis of hypocrisy, arguing that while he publicly claims to champion LGBTQ+ rights, his government has enacted “superficial, unenforceable or contradictory” policies. It cites “marriage equality without a presumption of parenthood”, which requires same-sex parents to adopt their own children through “a time-consuming and laborious process”, as an example.
The statement also condemns “the relativisation and technocratic approach to human rights”, stressing that rights “should not be accepted in crumbs” and warning that such compromises fuel far-right ideologies.
“The battles ahead of us are much bigger. They concern democracy, equality, social justice, freedom, and life itself. They are battles of values,” the statement concludes.
“These battles are only won when we fight them collectively and with determination. We are ready, and we will fight them together.”
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