Greek society may have been "liberated" and we live in a time when we all have the right to love; however, some still have to fight for their right to diversity.
Gay couples even now in the year 2019 become the target of homophobic attacks. People are confronted with bitter comments and violent behaviors because they dare to go for a walk in the center of Athens holding the hand of his or her partner.
Something that for straight couples is completely. Normal. For this reason, every year, the Syntagma organizes a different course full of loud laughter, red lipsticks, dances and a lot of glitter. Members of the LGBTQI community write their own history on the streets claiming equal rights…
There I met Orpheus, who volunteered at the Gay Pride booth and told me his own story, a story full of fear, bullying and a lot of love.
"Being gay and living in the countryside is very difficult. The gossip is more intense. Everyone knows what you do and who you do it with. There is this "what will people say" mentality. It's like a bowl σου Your whole world begins and ends there. Living in a small town in the Peloponnese and being gay means that this should be your big secret. There are many of my fellow citizens who are gay but may have a family. The most important thing, after all, is to be able to accept it yourself.
At first I also had a refusal. I could not accept it. I realized at the beginning of High School that I was gay. I had a friend with whom we had come very close and we were touching. The kids at school, maybe because of my behavior they made fun of me and bullied me. I was not very sociable, I did not have many friends "says the 30-year-old Orpheus.
He continued: "I was not talking to anyone about all this. I was dealing with them alone. I kept them inside me and just tried to "ground" them. And in high school I was bullied, I also had a few extra pounds… it was easier. They even threw a stone at me. I could not stand it and of course I could not move on with my life.
In 2011 after many internal disputes I decided that I should tell my parents. Until then I had not found the courage to have sex. I wanted to have sex but in the province where I lived I had no choice. Many kept it a secret and I had no choice. First of all I told my mother, who was initially shocked. At first he could not believe it and shouted.
After a while he calmed down and told me that he had understood. Then it was my father's turn. I told him I was gay and of course he did not take it lightly. At first there was shock and tension and they thought they had done something wrong, that I had not received enough love from my father and all this led me to become gay. After three days of silence, we started talking. I was asked to be discreet so that no one would know since we are a closed society. Not the slightest thing has been reported since then. We have not discussed anything again and we have good relations ".
Love in the age of social media
Orpheus talks about him love, the ideal partner but also for relationships in their time social media.
"The first time I had sex was in Paros when I went for a season, the same year I told my parents. I decided that the time had come and that it should be done. After a few months I decided to get out of my shell and move to Athens. Besides, we had a house here so at least I would not have rented it. I came to Athens and found a job. I started going out, making friends and moving in circles of gay people.
Until then I had no one to explain to me or show me some things πως about how or what I could flirt with etc. I started to take more care of myself and take care of his body. Now I had found my style. I made my first relationship, in Athens I felt free. I was not hiding.
Certainly, incidents of homophobic violence have taken place here as well, but there is no oppression that exists in a smaller society. I think that because I grew up in my province, the germ of discretion has also stuck… I am always collected, more measured, I do not want to give rights. Of course, I believe that I am slowly trying to overcome all that is holding me back and maybe at some point I will become more expressive in public places.
Right now I'm in love with a man we haven't been together in a long time. We met through Instagram. It all started with a message and within a short time we talked constantly, all day. We went for coffee and since then we are together. It has the characteristics of the ideal partner for me… He cares, spends time to see me, is sociable and takes care of me. You know, in the age of social media, love and romance are somewhat lost and relationships are going through a huge crisis.. "There are many temptations out there and sex has become very easy for everyone. A message on Instagram is enough for the acquaintance to proceed and all this to lead to a one night stand or a relationship".
The support line and voluntary action for HIV-positive people
On the occasion of various incidents of homophobic violence and hate speech, Orpheus explains that there is a special support line for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people, young and old.
"Personally, I do not care if they call me p @ st or something like that. I am not the problem. If one cannot accept diversity it is one's own issue and there are too many things to blame. Standards, media and pornography help to "build" an image of gay men. You know, everyone says their own thing about same-sex couples, about cohabitation, about adoption, how about being gay, etc. There should be information in schools, there should be no fear, a gay child can manage and to support his sexual preferences.
There is currently a special 1528 hotline for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans young men and women. This line provides comprehensive specialist counseling and psychological support regarding the acceptance of their sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the proper management of incidents of discrimination in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, in the family, at school, at university and in the workplace.
In addition, I am a volunteer in "Positive Voice" where there is an NGO that informs, helps and supports HIV-positive people. HIV-positive people face double racism and even now there are people who believe that the HIV virus originates and concerns only homosexuals. We go to schools, inform about the virus and share precautions ".