You can’t talk about a gay utopia without mentioning ancient Greece—and Athens specifically. Same-sex love flourished in ancient Athens and was the subject of philosophical texts that are of great interest still today. In his Symposium, Plato talks about “men who take pleasure in having sex with men and uniting with them”; Aristophanes castigates all misogynistic views and speaks of three sexes, original androgynous forms, and the normality of homoeroticism.
If you are thinking "gay utopia", start thinking ancient Greece as well.
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
This liberalism carried into all aspects of everyday life in ancient Athens. Above all, love was raised on an idealistic pedestal and worshipped as the truest form of human connection—regardless of gender and sexual preference. Theatrical plays, manuscripts of orations in the Agora, sculptures, statues and amphorae (yes, those graphic ones) all remain as testament to the freedom of thought, speech and choice in classical Athens.
The Olympian Immortals were no less liberated about choosing a sexual partner. Zeus, Apollo, Eros, Dionysus, Hermes, Artemis, Athena and so many more, all star in tales of same-sex love that often came with some sort of tragic ending, spurred by jealousy and vengeance. Myths about Hercules, Achilles, the Amazons, gay lovers in the Trojan and Spartan wars, the writings and life of Sappho, the list goes on and on; building an undeniable narrative. Even in the largest LGBTQ+ legal cases today, someone will generally invoke the Greeks.
Visitors to Athens today can easily find traces of the free thinking landscape of the past. The city’s museums and archaeological sites bear witness to the acceptance and equality of ancient Greek society. In recent years, modern Athens is moving to embrace these inviolable values once more: by legalizing civil partnerships, sponsoring Greece's biggest Pride and walking the talk with multiple LGBTQ+ events across the city. In doing so, Athens is ensuring that “acceptance” is not just another PC word.
Urban neighbourhoods like Gazi, the Historic Centre, Exarchia, Psirri and Pangrati are stacked with LGBTQ+ friendly cafés and bars. Meanwhile, the community’s visibility has significantly increased in the past two decades due to the efforts of Athens Pride, Outview Film Festival, Queer Archive Festival, as well as numerous events and party brands strongly rooted in the Athenian nightlife and entertainment arenas. The city’s progressive cultural agenda has also done its bit to spread the word.
There is clearly much work still to be done until full equality is achieved. The LGBTQ+ organizations in Athens are among the most socially activated and political in Greece, focussing their efforts on legal aspects of state transformation and on improving public opinion and awareness concerning LGBTQ+ issues. Athens is committed to a future that honours the open-minded utopia of the past—rather than consigning it as an ancient artifact.
Flower power in Athens Pride 2022.
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
Look at her smile!
Photo: Thomas Gravanis
Milestones to an Open-Minded Athens
- 1951: Homosexuality is decriminalized in Greece.
- 1980: First public protest of lesbian women at Propylea demanding the reformation of family law.
- 1981: First LGBTQI+ protest in Athens opposing police brutality and discriminating legislative acts.
- 1983: First transgender protest in Athens.
- 2005: The official Athens Pride takes place for the first time drawing a crowd of 500 people. More than 100.000 people took part in 2019’s event.
- 2007: Outview Film Festival is founded, Athens’ International LGBTQI+ film festival that takes place every year during April-May.
- 2015: Greece allows civil partnership for same-sex couples.
- 2017: Greek parliament passes legislation for legal recognition of gender identity.
- 2020: The Queer Archive Festival is founded, a platform for queer arts and culture, supported by Onassis Stegi.