IDAHOBIT & PRIDE 2024: Diplomatic Missions Celebrating Progress and Advocating for LGBTQI+ Equality in Cyprus and Beyond

Statement by Diplomats for Equality Cyprus:

The Cyprus chapter of Diplomats for Equality joins together to celebrate the international month of Pride and mark the 2024 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17. We stand united in our shared commitment to safeguard and champion human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

The Republic of Cyprus has taken significant strides towards the recognition and protection of human rights for LGBTQI+ persons. We welcome the government’s adoption of legislation criminalizing conversion therapies, a positive step to end practices which inflict considerable harm on LGBTQI+ persons. We encourage it to consider introducing an amendment to remove the legislative exclusion of same-sex couples in civil union from adoption. Further, we hope to see renewed progress on the legal gender identity recognition bill. Finally, we encourage the government of the Republic of Cyprus to recognize same-sex marriages conducted abroad, ensuring that couples enjoy equal rights no matter where they are.
Globally, full LGBTQI+ equality faces challenges., 66 countries still criminalize same-sex relations. Ten impose the death penalty. We deplore LGBTQI+ criminalization legislation which undermines human rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We commend the work of LGBTQI+ civil society groups across Cyprus and the pivotal role they continue to play in promoting the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ persons. The relentless work of Accept – LGBTI Cyprus, Queer Cyprus Association, Queer Wave LGBT, Africa, LGBT Pilipinas, Queer Collective, Rainbow Families Cyprus, University of Cyprus LGBTQIA+ & Allies Club, European University of Cyprus LGBTQ+ Society, LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora, and others has helped raise awareness, advocacy, and education, fostered a more inclusive environment, and promoted greater visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community. We commend the efforts of Turkish Cypriot LGBTQI+ civil society groups, whose targeted campaigns and public engagements have successfully initiated crucial conversations around LGBTQI+ rights, dispelled prejudices and misconceptions, and bridged gaps of understanding. Furthermore, we extend our congratulations to Accept – LGBTI Cyprus and Queer Cyprus Association for their decade-long partnership, culminating in their recent achievement of winning the European Citizen’s Prize for 2023, as a recognition for their collaborative efforts in organising the Annual Cyprus Pride Festival.

The business community has a key role to play by supporting LGBTQI+ employees and lifestyles and offering employment based on skills and skills alone.

In solidarity, we celebrate how far we have come in raising the visibility of LGBTQI+ persons as we highlight how much more work there is to be done for a reality where everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics, is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Signed by the following 26 missions accredited to Cyprus:
Australian High Commission
Embassy of the Republic of Austria
Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium
British High Commission
High Commission of Canada
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark
Embassy of the Republic of Estonia
Embassy of the French Republic
Embassy of Finland
Embassy of the Hellenic Republic
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of the State of Israel
Embassy of the Republic of Italy
Embassy of Japan
Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania
High Commission of the Republic of Malta
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
High Commission of New Zealand
Royal Norwegian Embassy
Embassy of the Portuguese Republic
Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden
Embassy of Switzerland
Embassy of the United States of America
Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus
European Parliament Office in Cyprus

For more information please contact:
Policy & Public Diplomacy Manager
Australian High Commission
nicosia [dot] ahcdfat [dot] gov [dot] au (nicosia[dot]ahc[at]dfat[dot]gov[dot]au)
+357 22697566