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
You may also like
-
A Beacon in the Dark in USA: 15 Attorneys General Defend Trans Youth
In a powerful rebuke to the administration’s anti-trans actions, 15 state Attorneys General have united
-
Is This World Going Mad? Google Calendar Axes Diversity Events
At first, we thought it was a deepfake—we just decided to react only now because
-
Disney Quietly Scales Back DEI Initiatives
Disney appears to be pulling back from its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments. In
-
Dark Skies Over Washington: Trump’s Anti-Trans Policies and Europe’s Silence
The United States has long positioned itself as a beacon of democracy and human rights.
-
Trump Targets the Kennedy Center: A Direct Attack on Queer Art
Donald Trump has announced his plan to purge the board of trustees at the Kennedy
English 
French 
Dutch