SO Sexual orientation
GI/E Gender identity/expression
SC Variations of sex characteristics
GR1 Legal gender recognition without self-determination
GR2 Legal gender recognition with self-determination (over 16)
GR3 Legal gender recognition with self-determination (under 16)
FPN LGBTI focal points network
CA Ministerial call to action
  • 87,5 – 100
  • 75 – 87,5
  • 62,5 – 75
  • 50 – 62,5
  • 37,5 – 50
  • 25 – 37,5
  • 12,5 – 25
  • 0 – 12,5
  • Anti-discrimination
    law in education

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    There are no anti-discrimination laws that mention sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or variations in sex characteristics as protected grounds of discrimination with regard to education.

  • Policies and
    action plans

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    According to the latest report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Greece does not have an effective policy for the protection of LGBT persons against discrimination in education [194]. The Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs implemented the Acts on Development and Operation of the Network for informing, training, preventing and dealing with bullying and school violence phenomenain the general context of the Ministry’s initiatives towards the prevention and treatment of bullying and school violence.

    The main goals of this plan are to develop a permanent structure for the prevention and treatment of bullying and school violence at national level; to train the educational executives as well as the educators in tackling bullying; to record, prevent, and tackle bullying at an early age; and to raise awareness and strengthen the participation of the educational community, family and the wider local community. Although the aim of this plan is to tackle all types of discrimination, it does not mention sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or variations in sex characteristics as protected grounds.

  • Inclusive national
    curricula

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    The curriculum does not have any mandatory content on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or variations in sex characteristics. Furthermore, when included, this content can be hostile. Civil society organisations report the case of a Social Science book that specifies “new types of family, such as unions that do not aim to reproduction (homosexual marriages), that are met mostly in West Europe, raise concerns regarding the legal provisions […]” and “it is noted that for contemporary social scientists, and sociologists specifically, the term «social racism» is the most appropriate, because it also includes other characteristics (apart from colour) that constitute criteria of evaluation of the «different» other (e.g. gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual preferences, disabilities etc.).”

    Since 2017, the Ministry of Education has implemented a mandatory “Thematic Week” in junior high schools, including a “Gendered Identities” axis. Within this framework teachers may introduce LGBTQI issues. The Ministry expressly suggested that parents should attend this training (on LGBTQI issues) but did not make any reference to students. Teachers, however, are allowed to introduce the subject to students, but this is at their own discretion.

  • Teacher training on
    LGBTQI awareness

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    There is currently no mandatory teacher training on LGBTQI awareness. However, some universities offer lessons that include content on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and variations in sex characteristics. The Department of Early Childhood Education, National and Capodistrian University of Athens offers the following courses:

    1. “Gender Theories”: This lesson focuses on the way social sciences analyse the aspect of gender in sociability. It focuses on gender, as the principle that organises social life, and the ways it interacts with other analytical categories, such as sexuality, race, etc.
    2. Thematic week “Gender, body, otherness”: This thematic week covers issues related to norms about gender, bodies and sexual orientation. It features movies, lectures and presentations from experts of different fields. Colour Youth (along with other LGBTQ organisations) has participated in this week with presentations, for the past two years.

  • Gender
    recognition

    GR1
    GR2
    GR3
    Total: 2.5

    In October 2017, the Greek Parliament passed a new gender recognition law which allows Greek citizens over the age of 15 to change their official identifying documents to reflect their gender identity by obtaining a court ruling, and formally removes the former requirements that the individual had first undergone a psychiatric assessment and “sex-change surgery.” However, a mental health assessment is still required where the gender change is being requested by a minor aged 15 – 17. This law is in line with a Greek Court ruling in 2016 which declared that sterilisation is nolonger required for the legal change of gender in Greece.

    Whilst the new law has been welcomed and is seen as a step in the right direction, it is still considered to be weak and far from perfect. In particular, critics have noted that the requirement that the recognition has to be validated by a local court, instead of a simple, accessible out of court administrative process, and does not allow for full self-determination. In addition, the law still requires any minors aged 15 – 17to undergo a mental health assessment and obtain a certificate from a medical council before theycan access the legal gender recognition process. Critics, therefore, note that the new process is not yet completely demedicalised and still links gender identity to mental health in certain cases, which they note is contrary to human rights.

    There are no reported cases of people under 18 who have successfully changed their gender officially.

  • Data collection of
    bullying/harassment

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    The government does not provide data on homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and interphobic bullying and there is no educational inspectorate to report on these issues. However, the Racist Violence Recording Network provide information about such cases in their annual report (see Further information).

  • Support
    systems

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    The government provides no specific support systems for LGBTQI learners or their families.

  • Information and
    guidelines

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    There is no specific information for LGBTQI learners or guidance for the education sector on how to address bullying and harassment against LGBTQI students.

  • Partnership between
    governments and civil society

    SO
    GI/E
    SC
    Total: 0

    The government does not provide support to LGBTQI civil society organisations working in the area of education.

  • International
    commitment

    FRN
    CA
    SC
    Total: 10

    – Greece has not signed the Call for Action by Ministers – Inclusive and equitable education for all learners in an environment free from discrimination and violence.

    – Greece is a member of the European Governmental LGBTI Focal Points Network.

  • Further
    Information