As the Cyprus chapter of Diplomats for Equality, we join together to celebrate the international month of Pride and to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May. We stand united in our shared commitment to safeguard and champion the inherent human rights of all, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.
In Cyprus, we have been greatly encouraged by the significant strides taken towards the recognition and protection of LGBTQI+ rights. We welcome the Republic of Cyprus’s bill banning conversion therapies, a positive step to end practices that inflict considerable harm on LGBTQI+ persons and have long been discredited by medical and psychological communities. We commend the work on the Legal Gender Recognition Bill in the past year and its aim to ensure trans persons are acknowledged and treated with the dignity and respect inherent to all persons.
Furthermore, we applaud the Republic of Cyprus for its continued role as vice chair of the Working Group on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression & Sex Characteristics (GT-ADI-SOGI) of the Council of Europe's Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI). The unanimous endorsement of this role by all 31 participating Council of Europe Member States earlier this year testifies to the trust placed in Cyprus's commitment to promoting diversity and combating discrimination.
Globally, the journey towards full LGBTQI+ equality continues to face challenges. Despite the welcome repeal of laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations in Singapore and the Cook Islands, 64 countries still criminalize homosexuality while countless instances of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQI+ community persist. We deplore the deeply discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Act passed in Uganda, which undermines the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which everyone is entitled without distinction 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. Their relentless work in raising awareness, advocacy, and education has fostered a more inclusive environment, promoting 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, dispelling prejudices and misconceptions, and bridging gaps of understanding.
LGBTQI+ visibility is important in celebrating how far we have come, and in highlighting how much more there is to do. We were proud to participate in the IDAHOBIT march on 17 May and Cyprus Pride on 27 May and look forward to participating in United By Pride on 17 June. We congratulate Queer Cyprus Association, Accept, Queer Collective, LGBT Pilipinas, LGBT Africa, African Rainbow Family, University of Cyprus LGBTQIA+ & Allies Club, European University of Cyprus LGBTQ+ Society, Rainbow Families Cy, LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora and others for their impressive Pride programs, and their work all year round. We thank all the supporters and volunteers who made these events possible. We particularly commend CΥΤΑ on taking a public and positive stand in support of LGBTQI+ rights. The business community has a key role to play.
In solidarity, let us celebrate our diversity and continue working towards a future where everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics, is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
List of co-signatories
Australian High Commission
British High Commission
Embassy of Austria
Embassy of Belgium
Embassy of Canada
Embassy of Finland
Embassy of France
Embassy of Greece
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of Italy
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Embassy of Portugal
Embassy of Spain
Embassy of Sweden
Embassy of the United States of America
Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus
Details
- Publication date
- 16 June 2023
- Author
- Representation in Cyprus