View source for LGBTQ rights in Cyprus

{{Short description|none}}
{{see also|LGBTQ rights in Northern Cyprus|LGBTQ rights in Akrotiri and Dhekelia}}
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{{Use British English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox LGBT rights
| location_header = Cyprus
| image = EU-Cyprus.svg
| caption = {{map caption|location_color=dark green|country='''[[Cyprus]]'''|region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the European Union |subregion_color=light green |legend=EU-Cyprus.svg}}
| legal_status = Legal since 1998,<br />age of consent equalised in 2002
| gender_identity_expression = <!-- Transsexual legal issues, etc -->
| recognition_of_relationships = [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus|Same-sex unions since 2015]]
| recognition_of_relationships_restrictions = <!-- SSM bans, etc -->
| adoption = Not allowed
| military     = Allowed to serve openly
| discrimination_protections = Sexual orientation and gender identity protections ([[#Discrimination protections|see below]])
}}

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Cyprus have evolved in recent years, but [[LGBTQ]] people still face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female expressions of same-sex sexual activity were decriminalised in 1998, and [[civil union]]s which grant several of the rights and benefits of marriage have been legal since December 2015. Conversion therapy was banned in Cyprus in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/05/26/council-of-europe-congratulates-cyprus-for-banning-conversion-therapies/ | title=Council of Europe congratulates Cyprus for banning conversion 'therapies' | date=26 May 2023 }}</ref> However, adoption rights in Cyprus are reserved for heterosexual couples only.

Traditionally, the [[socially conservative]] [[Greek Orthodox Church]] has had significant influence over public opinion and politics regarding LGBT rights. However, ever since Cyprus sought membership in the [[European Union]], it had to change its human rights legislation, including its laws regarding [[sexual orientation]] and [[gender identity]]. Attitudes towards members of the LGBT community are evolving and becoming increasingly more accepting and tolerant, with a recent opinion poll showing that a majority of Cypriots now support same-sex marriage.<ref name="poll"/>

==Law regarding same-sex sexual activity==
Cyprus fell under the control of the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1571.

Although administered by the [[British Empire]] from 1878, Cyprus remained officially part of the [[Ottoman Empire]] until 1914, when it was annexed by the British Empire following the decision of the Ottoman Turks to side with Germany in the [[First World War]]. Even then, Cyprus was not officially claimed by the British Empire until 1925, following recognition of British ownership of the island by the newly created [[Republic of Turkey]] through the [[Treaty of Lausanne]], signed by Britain and Turkey in 1923.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Xypolia|first=Ilia|title='Cypriot Muslims among Ottomans, Turks and British|journal=Bogazici Journal|year=2011|volume=25|issue=2|pages=109–120|doi=10.21773/boun.25.2.6|url=http://www.bujournal.boun.edu.tr/docs/13330942935.pdf|access-date=15 October 2012|doi-access=free}}</ref> Up until this time, Ottoman laws were technically in force on the island, albeit administered by local and British colonial officials, and in respect to homosexuality, Ottoman Turkish law had been liberalised in 1858, when it had ceased to be a criminal offence throughout the Ottoman Empire.<ref>Ishtiaq Hussain, ''The Tanzimat: Secular reforms in the Ottoman Empire'' (London: Faith Matters, 2011 p.10 [http://faith-matters.org/images/stories/fm-publications/the-tanzimat-final-web.pdf URL link]</ref>

Although Britain assumed full legal ownership of Cyprus in 1925, Ottoman law was not formally replaced on the island until 1929, when Ottoman legal tolerance of homosexuality was finally ended, with the incorporation of the British ''[[Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885]]'' into Cyprus law. For the first time since 1858, this made male homosexuality a criminal act in Cyprus. Female homosexuality was not recognised or mentioned in the law.

With independence from Britain in 1960, Cyprus retained British colonial law on the island almost in its entirety, with the relevant parts of the ''Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885'' becoming articles 171 to 174 of Chapter 154 of the Cypriot Criminal Code.<ref>Robert T. Francoeur and Raymond J. Noonan (eds.), ''The Continuum Complete International Encyclopedia of Sexuality'' (London: Continuum, 2003) 294</ref> The articles were first challenged in 1993, when Alexandros Modinos, a Cypriot architect and [[LGBT social movements|gay rights activist]], won a legal court case against the [[Government of Cyprus]], known as ''[[Modinos v. Cyprus]]'', at the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. The Court ruled that [[section 171 of the Criminal Code of Cyprus]] violated Modinos's right to a private life, protected under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], an international agreement ratified by Cyprus in 1962.

Despite the legal ruling, Cyprus did not formally revise its Criminal Code to comply with the ruling until 1998. Even then, the [[age of consent]] for homosexual conduct was set at eighteen, while that for heterosexual conduct was at sixteen. Aside from the unequal age of consent, the revised Criminal Code also made it a crime to "promote" homosexuality, which was used to restrict the LGBT rights movement. In 2000, the discriminatory ban on "promoting" homosexuality was lifted, and the age of consent was equalised in 2002. Today, the universal age of consent is seventeen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ageofconsent.com/cyprus.htm |title=Cyprus |publisher=ageofconsent.com |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527073411/http://www.ageofconsent.com/cyprus.htm |archive-date=27 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Cypriot National Guard|Cyprus military]] used to ban homosexuals from serving on the grounds that homosexuality is a "mental illness".<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news|author=Helena Smith |url=https://www.theguardian.com/elsewhere/journalist/story/0,7792,575230,00.html |title=Cyprus divided over gay rights |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date= 26 January 2002|access-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> However, this ground of exclusion has since been removed.<ref name="army">{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.cy/el/file/bWwzlXEZYcr2nxXo9+AUZw==/|title=National Guard Law|website=army.gov.cy|language=el|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718002622/http://www.army.gov.cy/el/file/bWwzlXEZYcr2nxXo9%2BAUZw%3D%3D/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In [[Northern Cyprus]], Turkish Cypriot deputies passed an amendment on 27 January 2014, repealing a colonial-era law that punished homosexual acts with up to five years' imprisonment. It was the last territory in Europe to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting adult men. In response to the vote, Paulo Corte-Real from the [[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]], a rights advocacy group, said that "We welcome today's vote and can finally call Europe a continent completely free from laws criminalising homosexuality".<ref>{{cite web|last=Afanasieva |first=Dasha |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-north-gay-idUKBREA0Q16R20140127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115130809/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-cyprus-north-gay-idUKBREA0Q16R20140127 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2016 |title=Northern Cyprus becomes last European territory to decriminalize gay sex |publisher=Uk.reuters.com |date=2014-01-27 |access-date=2014-04-04}}</ref><ref name="theguardian1">{{cite web|author=Owen Bowcott |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/northern-cyprus-ban-gay-sex-repeal-homosexual#start-of-comments |title=Northern Cyprus votes to legalise gay sex |work=The Guardian|date=2014-01-27 |access-date=2014-04-04}}</ref>

==Recognition of same-sex relationships==
{{Main|Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus}}
The current law of Cyprus only recognises marriage as a union between one man and one woman. There is no official recognition of [[same-sex marriage]]s. Since 2015, same-sex couples have been able to have their relationships recognised through [[civil union]]s.

On 26 November 2015, a civil union bill was passed by the [[House of Representatives (Cyprus)|House of Representatives]] with 39 in favour, 12 against and 3 abstentions. The law was published on 9 December 2015, and took effect that same day.<ref>[http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/gpo/gpo.nsf/All/13619D477EE08945C2257F16002C668D/$file/4543%209%2012%202015%20PARARTIMA%201o%20MEROS%20I.pdf ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΝΟΜΟΘΕΣΙΑ  - ΜΕΡΟΣ Ι Αριθμός 4543 Τετάρτη ,9 Δεκεμβρίου 2015: Αριθμός 184(Ι) του 2015 ΝΟΜΟΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΝΟΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΑΨΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΒΙΩΣΗΣ], pp. 14-32</ref><ref>[http://avmag.gr/60340/60340/ Τέθηκε σε ισχύ η πολιτική συμβίωση στην Κύπρο]</ref><ref name="Civil unions become law - Cyprus">{{Cite web|title=Civil unions become law - Cyprus |url=http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/ |website=InCyprus |access-date=2015-11-26 |language=en-GB |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127055351/http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/ |archive-date=27 November 2015 }}</ref>

==Discrimination protections==
In 2004, Cyprus implemented an anti-discrimination law that explicitly forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment. The law, known as the ''Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation Law 2004'' ({{langx|el|Ο Περί 'Ισης Μεταχείρισης στην Απασχόληση και την Εργασία Νόμος του 2004}}), was designed to comply with the [[European Union]]'s Employment Framework Directive of 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Implementation of Anti-Discrimination Directives into National Law |url=http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/legis/lgms_en.htm |publisher=[[European Commission]] |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620080035/http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/legis/lgms_en.htm#cy |archive-date=20 June 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Discrimination based on gender identity in general and discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas other than employment are not prohibited.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Country Report Non-Discrimination: Cyprus 2020|url=https://www.equalitylaw.eu/downloads/5288-cyprus-country-report-non-discrimination-2020-2-09-mb|access-date=9 August 2021|website=European Commission}}</ref>

The Cypriot Penal Code has been amended to make violence against LGBT people an [[Aggravation (law)|aggravating factor]] in sentencing. Article 99 of the code, entitled "Incitement to violence or hatred due to sexual orientation or gender identity", provides for imprisonment not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding 5,000 [[euro]]s for any person who "intentionally, publicly or in manner which is threatening or insulting or offensive in nature, urges or incites, orally or in writing, violence or hatred against a group, person, or a member of a group of persons on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity".<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyprus: Penal code amended to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/10/10/cyprus-penal-code-amended-to-protect-against-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation-or-gender-identity/|publisher=PinkNews|access-date=27 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2015/05/28/house-votes-to-criminalise-homophobia/|title=House votes to criminalise homophobia|first=Elias|last=Hazou|date=28 May 2015}}</ref> In October 2024, Parliament raised the penalty for hate speech based on sexual orientation or gender identity from €5,000 to €10,000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=House passes harsher penalties for hate incitement based on sexual orientation, gender |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/10/31/house-passes-harsher-penalties-for-hate-incitement-based-on-sexual-orientation-gender |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=cyprus-mail.com |language=en}}</ref>

Despite the provisions, reports of incitement to hatred or violence against LGBT people occasionally result in no action by police forces nor any legal penalties, most notably when committed by clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church. In February 2019, a gay man was attacked in [[Nicosia]], but the police failed to establish whether it was a [[hate crime]]. Another incident, also in Nicosia, four months later also resulted in no police action.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilga-europe.org/sites/default/files/2020/full_annual_review.pdf|title=Annual Review of the human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people in Europe and Central Asia|work=ILGA-Europe|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606070321/https://www.ilga-europe.org/sites/default/files/2020/full_annual_review.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017, the Ministry of Education established the programme "HOMBAT-Combating Homophobic and Transphobic Bullying at Schools" to train and sensibilise teachers and professors to bullying and harassment directed at LGBT students.<ref name=":1"/>

As part of its [[Universal Periodic Review]] in 2019, Cyprus received seven recommendations pertaining to LGBT rights, including combating discrimination and violence, criminalising harassment, adopting an action plan against homophobia and transphobia, and adopting a gender recognition law. It accepted all seven recommendations.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ilga.org/downloads/32st_UPR_Working_Group_Session_SOGIESC_recommendations.pdf|title=32nd UPR Working Group Sessions SOGIESC Recommendations (21 January-1 February 2019)|work=ILGA|access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>

== Conversion therapy ==
On 25 May 2023, the Cyprus Parliament voted to criminalize [[Legality of conversion therapy|conversion therapy]].<ref name="in-cyprus.philenews.com">{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=House Plenum votes to criminalise conversion therapies |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/news/local/house-plenum-votes-to-criminalise-conversion-therapies/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Gender identity and expression==
In November 2017, President [[Nicos Anastasiades]] met advocacy group Accept-LGBT Cyprus to discuss issues concerning transgender rights. A bill to allow transgender people to change their legal sex has been drafted, with the support of the President and the Justice Minister.<ref>[http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/11/30/president-meets-accept-lgbt/ President meets Accept LGBT], ''Cyprus Mail'', 30 November 2017</ref> On 10 June 2019, following months of stalling and delay, four parents of transgender children spoke in favor of the bill and urged for its "speedy adoption". The legislation would allow transgender people over 18 to right to change their legal gender on the basis of self-determination, without a diagnosis, hormonal treatment or [[sex reassignment surgery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://24h.com.cy/2019/06/egklovismenoi-se-lathos-soma/|title=Εγκλωβισμένοι σε λάθος σώμα|work=24.com.cy|date=22 June 2019|language=el|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626150429/https://24h.com.cy/2019/06/egklovismenoi-se-lathos-soma/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Living conditions==
In 1996, a criminal trial against Father [[Pancratios Meraklis]], who was accused of [[sodomy]], caused serious rioting that stopped the proceedings. Meraklis had been regarded as a possible [[bishop]], but was blocked by then [[Archbishop of Cyprus]], [[Chrysostomos I of Cyprus]], who believed Meraklis to be homosexual and that AIDS could be spread through casual conduct.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.planetout.com/news/article-print.html?1998/06/16/3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031113031953/http://www.planetout.com/news/article-print.html?1998%2F06%2F16%2F3|url-status=dead|title=planetout.com – Meraklis Admits AIDS, Not Gay|archive-date=13 November 2003}}</ref> These comments irked [[public health]] officials and more open-minded Cyprus citizens.

In 2003, a 28-year-old Cypriot man was barred from getting a driver's license because he was regarded as "psychologically unstable". The man had been discharged from the military for homosexuality, which the military then classified as a mental illness.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510062259/http://www.queerday.com/2003/jul/03/gay_cyprus_man_cant_get_drivers_license.html queerday.com – Gay Cyprus man can't get driver's license]}}</ref>

In April 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent instructions in all embassies, requesting that they support local LGBT activists. On 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, the ministry raised the rainbow flag, as did several Cypriot embassies throughout the world.<ref name=":1"/>

The ‘gay-scene’ continues to grow in Cyprus. Bars, clubs and other gay-friendly establishments are found in several cities, including [[Paphos]], [[Limassol]], [[Larnaca]] and [[Nicosia]], although Paphos is the only city with the longest running gay bar called ‘Different Bar’ since 1993. Other cities have tried to open bars and clubs, but due to the narrow-minded locals (which does not apply to Paphos due to the large, gay touristic influence since the late 70s) have closed down or are not as busy as they should be.

==LGBT rights movement in Cyprus==
{{See also|LGBT social movements}}
In 1987, Alecos Modinos formed the Cypriot Gay Liberation Movement (AKOK or ''Apeleftherotiko Kinima Omofilofilon Kiprou''). As the first LGBT rights organisation in the nation, it successfully pushed [[European Court of Human Rights]] to force the decriminalisation of homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kamenou |first=Nayia |date=21 July 2023 |title=Queer in Cyprus? The LGBTIQ Movement, Normativity, and Resistance in a Changing (Trans)national Landscape |journal=Social Sciences |language=en |volume=12 |issue=7 |pages=419 |doi=10.3390/socsci12070419 |issn=2076-0760|doi-access=free }}</ref>

In 2007, [[Initiative Against Homophobia]] was established in [[Northern Cyprus]] to campaign for the rights of LGBT people in the north. On 25 April 2008, the group presented a proposal regarding the revising of criminal law to the head of parliament, [[Fatma Ekenoglu]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Initiative Against Homophobia |url=http://queercyprus.org/index.php/en/what-we-do/criminal-code-proposal |title=Proposal of Criminal law presented by Initiative Against Homophobia |publisher=queercyprus.org |access-date=14 April 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2010, representatives of [[ILGA-Europe]] presented the proposal to the new head of parliament, [[Hasan Bozer]]. However, no action was taken on the proposal and people continued to be arrested under claims of "[[unnatural sex]]". In October 2011, the [[Communal Democracy Party]] (TDP) presented the same proposal to the Parliament with the demand of urgently decriminalising homosexuality in Northern Cyprus. Since March 2012, Initiative Against Homophobia has continued its activities with the name Queer Cyprus Association ({{langx|tr|Kuir Kıbrıs Derneği}}).

Accept-LGBT Cyprus ({{langx|el|Accept-ΛΟΑΤ Κύπρου}}) was the first organisation to be officially registered in Cyprus dealing with LGBT rights, on 8 September 2011. It has the support of many citizens, assisted by various NGOs, the European Parliament and foreign embassies operating in Cyprus. The organisation has also had at times assistance from local municipalities and often had events held under the auspices of local city mayors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.acceptcy.org/sites/all/files/program-toward_inclusion_conference.pdf|title=Towards Inclusion: Healthcare, Education and the LGBT Community|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035739/http://www.acceptcy.org/sites/all/files/program-toward_inclusion_conference.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Accept-LGBT Cyprus organised the first [[pride parade]] in the areas controlled by the Republic on 31 May 2014. The parade was successful with over 4,500 marching or attending the day's events. The group had expected several hundred participants, but were overwhelmed by the event's popularity. The march received extensive political support from almost all parties across the political spectrum, as well as support from former President [[George Vasiliou]], the European Parliament's Office in Cyprus, the European Commission's Representation in Cyprus and 15 embassies who marched with the parade including ambassadors and embassy staff ([[Austria]], [[Australia]], [[Brazil]], [[Canada]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[Israel]], [[Italy]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Sweden]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[United States]]). Furthermore, the embassies of Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States hoisted a rainbow flag. Cypriot-born, international pop singer [[Anna Vissi]] also attended the march. The 81-year-old Alexandros Modinos, who won a 1993 European Court of Human Rights case against Cyprus for its laws criminalising homosexuality, headed the procession. Scuffles broke out between a group of Orthodox Christian protesters including clerics who denounced the event they called "shameful", demonstrating outside the Parliament. During a press release, Accept-LGBT Cyprus President Costa Gavrielides expressed his surprise and joy at the turnout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/363606/news/world/greek-cypriots-in-first-gay-pride-parade |title=Greek Cypriots in first gay pride parade |publisher=GMA Network |date=2014-01-06}}</ref> The event was preceded by the Cyprus Pride Festival, which took place between 17 May 2014 (International Day Against Homophobia) and 31 May 2014. The first day of the event a Rainbow Walk took place to the north of [[Nicosia]] with the collaboration of Accept-LGBT Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot organisation Queer Cyprus Association, amongst others.

Queer Collective Cy [http://www.queercollective.cy www.queercollective.cy] was formed in the early part of 2022. It is a community-driven, grassroots organisation which aims to promote empowerment within the local community across the island, fight against discrimination related to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. On 18 June 2022 they successfully co-organised and co-hosted the first-ever Intercommunal Pride on the island with the slogan United by Pride, together with the groups Queer Cyprus, LGBT Pilipinas, LGBT Africa and LGBT+ and Friends UCY Student Club. The event was warmly welcomed as the first of its kind bringing together various LGBTQI+ communities on the island. It consisted of two separate marches one from the South of Nicosia beginning from Freedom Square (Plateia Eleftherias) and one from the North of Nicosia which began from Kugulu Park. Both marches ended in the UN Buffer Zone, where in a strong act of symbolism sewed together two pride flags that were carried throughout both respective marches.

In Northern Cyprus in 2008, Shortbus Movement ({{langx|tr|Shortbus Hareketi}}), consisting of human rights activists, was founded. It takes action to support [[LGBTQ]] rights in Northern Cyprus. The group secured financial support from the [[European Commission]] Office in Cyprus and the [[European Parliament]]. It has also organised many activities to empower and mobilise members of LGBT community, by increasing awareness through sharing related information, providing informational, educational, psychological and legal services to the LGBTI community and organising and/or supporting LGBTI, gender equality and human rights thematic cultural events.

Other LGBT events and activities, providing awareness of LGBT people, have been held in [[Paphos]] and [[Geroskipou]].<ref>[http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/03/23/support-lgbt-community-paphos-growing/ Support for LGBT community in Paphos growing], ''Cyprus Mail'', 23 March 2018</ref>

==Media discrimination==
In December 2021, when the Greek series ''Agries Melisses'' ({{langx|el|Άγριες Μέλισσες}}) aired on [[ANT1 Cyprus]], a scene featuring two male characters kissing—played by Dimitris Tsiklis and Giorgos Korobilis<ref>{{cite web |author1=TNH Staff |title=Cyprus Removes Gay Kiss Scene from Greek TV Show Airing |url=https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus-removes-gay-kiss-scene-from-greek-tv-show-airing/ |website=[[The National Herald]] |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219135516/https://www.thenationalherald.com/cyprus-removes-gay-kiss-scene-from-greek-tv-show-airing/ |archive-date=19 December 2021 |date=19 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>—was censored from the Cypriot broadcast.<ref name="AM CP">{{cite web |last1=Agapiou |first1=Gina |title=Censorship of gay kiss on Cyprus TV 'another setback for LGBT community' |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/16/censorship-of-gay-kiss-on-cyprus-tv-another-setback-for-lgbt-community/ |newspaper=[[Cyprus Mail]] |publisher=Cyprus Mail Co Ltd |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216205443/https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/12/16/censorship-of-gay-kiss-on-cyprus-tv-another-setback-for-lgbt-community/ |archive-date=16 December 2021 |date=16 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to ANT1 Cyprus, the kiss was censored due to "legislative ambiguity" regarding radio and television regulations, despite there being "no general direction or legislation banning the broadcast of any LGBTI content".<ref name="AM CP"/> This decision drew criticism from activists and on social media, who pointed out that a violent scene featuring one of the two men being half-naked, bloodied, and tortured by his boyfriend's father was left intact in the broadcast.<ref name="AG Star">{{cite web |last1=Schäfferling |first1=Emilie |title=Cyprus Censors Gay Kiss On TV |url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/cyprus-censors-gay-kiss-on-tv/208052 |website=[[Star Observer]] |publisher=Out Publications |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219010944/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/cyprus-censors-gay-kiss-on-tv/208052 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |date=18 December 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, the show's broadcast was changed from 9 P.M. to 10:30 P.M., which activists state is not coincidental.<ref name="AG Star"/>

According to LGBT rights activist Fotis Fotiou and former member of the organization Accept LGBTI Cyprus, the country has a history of LGBT content being censored by both local television networks and theater plays.<ref name="AM CP"/>

==Public opinion==
Most Cyprus citizens are members of the [[Orthodox Church of Cyprus|Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus]] which opposes LGBT rights. In 2000, a Major Holy Synod had to be convened to investigate rumours that Bishop Athansassios of Limassol had engaged in a homosexual relationship with a novice monk. The charges were eventually dropped.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/cyprus/1374319/Cyprus-synod-seeks-end-to-scandal-over-gay-bishop.html Cyprus synod seeks end to scandal over 'gay' bishop] The Telegraph, 15 November 2000</ref>

A 2006 survey showed that 75% of Cypriots disapproved of homosexuality, and many thought that it can be "cured".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091027133612/http://geocities.com/gaycyprusonline/overview.htm Overview on being gay in Cyprus] Gay Cyprus Online</ref> A 2006 E.U. poll revealed that only 14% of Cypriots were in favour of same-sex marriage, with 10% also in favour of adoption.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080514204804/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/14203 Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage]}} Angus Reid Global Monitor</ref>

However, the situation has seen a rapid turnaround in just a few years, with a 2014 survey finding that 53.3% of Cypriot citizens thought civil unions should be made legal.<ref name="poll">{{cite web |last1=Anastasiou |first1=Angelos |title=Storm of protest over Archbishop's anti-gay comments |url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/storm-of-protest-over-archbishops-anti-gay-comments/ |website=[[Cyprus Mail]] |publisher=Cyprus Mail Co Ltd |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704222417/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/storm-of-protest-over-archbishops-anti-gay-comments/ |archive-date=4 July 2015 |date=9 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 37% of Cypriots thought that same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, 56% were against.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017162431/http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Special Eurobarometer 437|archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref>

The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 50% of Cypriots thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe while 44% disagreed, and 46% agreed that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex". This was the first time a majority of Cypriots supported same-sex marriage in a Eurobarometer, showing a steady increase in support for LGBT rights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2023 |title=Discrimination in the EU_sp535_volumeA.xlsx [QB15_2] and [QB15_3] |url=https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/ebsm/api/public/odp/download?key=357D4B83D1BE42F7D20030592A2E8DE4 |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=data.europa.eu |format=xls}}</ref>

== Human rights reports ==
===2017 United States Department of State report===
In 2017, the United States Department of State reported the following, concerning the status of LGBT rights in Cyprus:

*Freedom of Expression, Including for the Press<br />"Freedom of Expression: The law criminalizes incitement to hatred and violence based on race, color, religion, genealogical origin, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Such acts are punishable by up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to 10,000 euros ($12,000), or both. In 2015 police examined 11 complaints of verbal assault and/or hate speech based on ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, and color. Authorities opened criminal prosecutions in five cases that are currently pending trial."<ref name="CYPRUS 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=21 April 2018|title=CYPRUS 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT|url=https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277397.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053625/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277397.pdf|archive-date=21 April 2018|access-date=2021-01-26|website=}}</ref>
*Acts of Violence, Discrimination, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity<br />"Antidiscrimination laws exist and prohibit direct or indirect discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Antidiscrimination laws cover employment and the following activities in the public and private domain: social protection, social insurance, social benefits, health care, education, participation in unions and professional organizations, and access to goods and services. An LGBTI NGO noted in February that equality and antidiscrimination legislation remained fragmented and failed to adequately address discrimination against LGBTI persons. NGOs dealing with LGBTI matters claimed that housing benefits favored "traditional" families. Hate crime laws criminalize incitement to hatred or violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity.<br /> Despite legal protections, LGBTI individuals faced significant societal discrimination. As a result, many LGBTI persons were not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity, nor did they report homophobic violence or discrimination. There were reports of employment discrimination against LGBTI applicants."<ref name="CYPRUS 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT" />
*Discrimination with Respect to Employment and Occupation<br />"Laws and regulations prohibit direct or indirect discrimination with respect to employment or occupation on the basis of race, national origin or citizenship, sex, religion, political opinion, gender, age, disability, and sexual orientation. The government did not effectively enforce these laws or regulations. Discrimination in employment and occupation occurred with respect to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and HIV-positive status. Penalties provided by the law were sufficient to deter violations.<br /> A survey published in the International Journal of Manpower in 2014 suggested that LGBTI job applicants faced significant bias compared with heterosexual applicants. The survey found that gay male applicants, who made their sexual orientation clear on their job application, were 39 per cent less likely to get a job interview than equivalent male applicants who did not identify themselves as gay. Employers were 42.7 per cent less likely to grant a job interview to openly lesbian applicants than to equivalent heterosexual female applicants."<ref name="CYPRUS 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT" />

==Summary table==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Right
! Yes/No
! Notes
|-
! colspan="3" | Same-sex sexual activity
|-
| [[Sodomy law|Same-sex sexual activity legal]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 1998
|-
| [[Ages of consent in Europe#Cyprus|Equal age of consent]] (17)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2002
|-
! colspan="3" | Same-sex relationships
|-
| Civil partnerships
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2015
|-
| Same-sex marriage
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
! colspan="3" | Adoption and family planning
|-
| Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
| Access to [[In vitro fertilisation|IVF]] for lesbians
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
| Same-sex couples as both parents on a birth certificate
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
| Banned regardless of sexual orientation
|-
! colspan="3" | Military service
|-
| [[Sexual orientation and military service|LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| 
|-
! colspan="3" | Transgender rights
|-
| [[Legal aspects of transsexualism|Right to change legal gender]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
|
|-
! colspan="3" | Discrimination protections
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment only
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2004 for sexual orientation
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
| [[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
|
|-
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2015
|-
|Anti-discrimination laws covering gender identity
|[[File:X mark.svg|15px]]
|
|-
| [[Hate crime]] law includes sexual orientation and gender identity
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2017
|-
| [[LGBT sex education]] and relationships taught in schools
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sex education bill passes during Parliament spat |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/news/local/sex-education-bill-passes-during-parliament-spat/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[MSM blood donor controversy|MSMs allowed to donate blood]]
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blood donation requirement targeting gays dropped {{!}} Cyprus Mail |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/04/20/blood-donation-requirement-targeting-gays-dropped/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=cyprus-mail.com/ |date=20 April 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| [[Conversion therapy]] banned
| [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| Since 2023<ref name="in-cyprus.philenews.com"/>
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Cyprus}}
*[[Human rights in Cyprus]]
* [[LGBT rights in Europe]]
* [[LGBT rights in Asia]]
* [[LGBT rights in the European Union]]
* [[Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus]]
* [[Same-sex union court cases]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources and external links==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.acceptcy.org|title=Official website of Accept-LGBT|language=el}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.rainbow-europe.org/#8628/0/0|title=Rainbow Europe: Cyprus|work=ILGA-Europe|date=20 February 2024 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.shortbusmovement.org/|title=Official website of Shortbus Movement|language=tr|access-date=8 March 2011|archive-date=11 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711090707/https://shortbusmovement.org/|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.queercyprus.org|title=Official website of Queer Cyprus Association|language=tr}}

{{Cyprus topics}}
{{LGBTQ rights in Europe}}
{{Asia in topic|LGBTQ rights in}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:LGBTQ Rights in Cyprus}}
[[Category:LGBTQ rights in Cyprus| ]]
[[Category:Society of Cyprus]]