What You Should Know About Cyprus Pride
A series of events, talks, workshops and parties in light of Pride were held in Cyprus. With happenings planned from May to June on the island, Pride, a world-wide movement, seeks to improve the acceptance and legal protection of LGBTQ people.
Hundreds of people attend the Pride events in Cyprus each year: an encouraging sign that society is shifting towards a more accepting state of mind, although the road for equal rights is still long. Civil unions between same sex couples was legalised In Cyprus at the end of 2015, but the struggle still exists in terms of legal matters and societal mentality. This year’s Pride continues to shine a light on LGBT matters through entertaining activities and educational events.
Cyprus Pride is organised by ACCEPT organisation, that works towards supporting LGBT people and eliminate discrimination against the community in Cyprus. The month-long awareness is also organised under the auspice of the President Nicos Anastasiades for the second year in a row and Nicosia’s Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis.
During 2016’s Pride parage | Photo by ACCEPT
These events aim to bring visibility and solidarity to the LGBT community and are varied to fit all ages, cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations and sexual orientation. Activities began on May 12th and promise to be filled with informative talks and fun events for everyone, including a human library, a film screening, and of course the parade on the last day of Pride, June 3rd. Check out the full event schedule here.
This year’s theme was Make the Change, which referred to having a more trans-inclusive society and securing legal gender recognition since the trans community in Cyprus is still fighting for their legal rights of changing their gender on official documents. Pride 2018 hopes to raise awareness on this issue and work towards a positive change.
Every year the events organised are held in a friendly and welcoming manner and are a great way to learn about the local LGBT community and their issues in Cyprus. The parade is the highlight of the events, as hundreds gather to support the movement and colourfully march around the Old Town of Nicosia. The day concludes at the Municipal Gardens of Nicosia with a music and food festival, where kids and adults can let loose and have a great time.
From 2016’s Pride march in the streets of Nicosia | Photo by ACCEPT
A Brief History of Pride
In June of 1969, a group of LGBTQ people in New York City rioted following a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. This series of events was a turning point for the LGBTQ community and marks one of the most significant events leading to the modern gay rights movement. The following year in June, organised demonstrations took place in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco to mark the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. As the years went on, additional cities in North America and Europe began to hold their own public demonstrations or pride day, eventually leading to what we know today as a LGBT pride parade, march, celebration or festival. Pride happens annually around the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall riots which happened in late June 1969.
