Local LGBT campaigners also held a small event to mark the day – and used the opportunity also to draw attention to discrimination and stigma facing the LGBT community.

If you are a campaigner in Cyprus and would like to share information about your actions please get in touch with us directly.

For more information on this event please click here.

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The event started with a street meeting to celebrated all kinds of identities together. The meeting point was Kugulu Park on May 16th at 4pm where there was a Walk against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a rainbow parade followed by a street gathering with street games.

You can follow the event on Facebook.

Additionally, the organisers are also preparing a series of panel discussions on discrimination in education which will take place on 23rd in Famagusta.

You can also find out more information on Queer Cyprus’ page.

#ADSIZ #ΑΚΑΤΑΝΟΜΑΣΤΗ #NAMELESS

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.

The Cyprus Pride Festival will include a film festival, art exhibition, a series of open discussions as well as an LGBT anti-bullying education campaign with the support of the Cyprus Youth Council.

A Rainbow March will be held on May 17 in the city center. A film festival, a big screen showing of Turkish movie “My Child” (about parents with LGBTI children), a photo exhibition and panel discussion are all in the works as well.

Groups Accept and Queer Cyprus are organising this year.

“This is a testament to how far Cypriot society has come on issues of inclusion and acceptance” the head of Accept, Costas Gavrielidies, told the Cyprus Mail. The parade, which will be held under the auspices of South Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis, will come as a celebration for the act legalising civil partnerships, which is expected to be voted by the South Cypriot House of Representatives in April, according to Accept’s press release.” Reports TFR North Cyprus

Accept Cyprus is a LGBT organization located in Nicosia. For more details visit their facebook page and their website. You can also find out more by visiting Queer Cyprus at their website and facebook page