Nektarios Christopoulos has been part of Melbourne's Midsumma Pride March for 17 years. But this year's celebration is a little different.
"Gay marriage has gone through, so it's a special event for us," he said.
"It's not just parliament that brought it in, it's the Australian people that have said 'yes' too."
Mr Chistopoulos was among thousands of Melbournians who braved scorching temperatures to participate in the march, along with a handful of volunteers from the Greek and Gay Support Network.
The organisation has helped LGBTIQ+ people within Australia's Hellenic community for over two decades, but last year's 'yes' campaign showed that support in some sections of the Greek community remains elusive.
"It was quite disappointing," Mr Christopoulos said. "A lot of the feedback we got from our Greek friends, family members, work colleagues ... was quite negative."
In the lead-up to the marriage equality survey Australia's Greek Orthodox Archdiocese ran a comprehensive 'no' campaign.
This stance, says John Tzimas from the Greek and Gay Support Network, hurt a lot of people throughout the Greek community.
"We've got indivduals in the Greek community who've been here since the 50s and 60s that have retained a lot of their religious beliefs," he said.
"In our community religion plays a big part, which is quite a good thing because it's kept the Greek community close.
"But the 'no' campaign they threw at us was incorrect. There were lies, they just stretched it to suit their needs."
Greek priests accused of inciting violence
The wounds deepened when worshippers took to social media to report two instances of Greek priests allegedly saying LGBTIQ+ people should be shot.
One was Lefteris Tatsis, claimed he didn't remember saying such a thing, but still apologised.
"If I said such a thing, I ask a thousand apologies," he said. "I haven't killed even an ant. Even the dust and the grass of the earth loves me. I retract this."
In a statement to SBS the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia said "neither of the priests intended to offend or incite violence".
"The meaning has been lost in translation from Greek to English and the comments have been taken out of context," the statement read.
"Notwithstanding this, all allegations are treated seriously and both priests involved have been counselled.
"Our faith teaches unconditional love, respect and inclusiveness. Above all, our Church unreservedly condemns any form of violence."
Greeks rally behind 'yes' vote
Throughout the campaign Melbourne's main Hellenic community group, the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne Victoria (GOCMV) adopted a neutral stance.
But some, including GOCMV board member Theo Markos, were among dozens of high profile Greeks .
"The perception was the majority of the Greek community was supportive of the 'no' vote, and in my view that wasn't the case," he said.
"There is still a degree of homophobia within the Greek community, and I think the purpose of that statement was to show to the general Australian community and especially the Greek Australian gay community that there is a lot of support for them."
John Tzimas says that support has been recognised, and within the next five or so years it could even grow to a point where groups like the Greek and Gay Support Network become obsolete.
"It's important we continue it while we need it, until the day comes when we no longer need it," he said.
"Things will start to change slowly. But we've matured as a group and that's why we're reaching out to the Greek community to open a dialogue."
