In a statement that aligns with Trump-era rhetoric, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared, “I believe there are two genders: male and female,” during an event hosted by the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce. He described this as both his personal opinion and a biological fact.
Mitsotakis’ comments come as part of a broader critique of so-called “woke” ideologies, which he claims are a primarily American phenomenon. Speaking alongside former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, he argued that extreme progressive movements in the U.S. have caused societal backlash but emphasized that Europe has not experienced similar dynamics.
The prime minister also highlighted his party’s success in marginalizing far-right groups, touting Greece as a politically stable nation with a strong center-right coalition.
However, for LGBTQ+ activists and allies, such statements feel like a step backward. By framing his position as scientific fact, Mitsotakis echoes the rhetoric of conservative leaders who use biological essentialism to undermine the rights of transgender and nonbinary individuals. This approach risks erasing the identities and lived experiences of many within Greece’s LGBTQ+ community, particularly in a country where queer rights remain a contentious issue.
As Europe faces a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, statements like these from a prominent leader set a worrying precedent. For a community already battling for visibility and recognition, this kind of rhetoric reinforces barriers rather than breaking them.
This article was inspired by a story originally published on. Antivirus Magazine, the Greek LGBTQIA+ magazine
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