Cyprus’s first ever LGBT Pride March was held at the end of a two week festival this year, which started on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. A very much unprecedented level of mobilisation took place this year, with an extensive series of creative and diverse events held.

This year’s IDAHOT commemorations come very soon after the Northern region of Cyprus decriminalised homosexuality – a change which made same sex relationships no longer outlawed in any country in Europe.

Led by the group Queer Cyprus Association, this years events were also joined and supported by Accept (from Southern Cyprus) and the LİSTAG Family Group from Istanbul.

First Pride Cyprus. Source: Queer Cyprus

Queer Cyprus also organised an open air festival, designed to reclaim public space for expressing and celebrating differences. The festival was called ʺGayri-resmi geçitʺ in Turkish (ʺRecklessʺ in English). During ʺRecklessʺ, local activists also launched the film festival ʺQueer Shorts and Documentariesʺ with the screening of the film My Child, directed by Can Candan. Members of the film team were also present during the parade and later at the festival.

First ever Pride march in Cyprus. Source: Queer Cyprus

Famagusta Youth Center and Eastern Mediterranean University were also heavily involved in the May 17 commemorations this year.