Pride: a protest for unity - 28th June 2023

LGBTQ+ communities on the divided island of Cyprus have united in celebration of Pride. Now in its second year, 'United by Pride' sees members and allies of the LGBTQ+ communities marching together from a park in Nicosia's north and a square in its south, a mere 1.5 kilometres apart, to the Ledna Palace within the UN Green Line.

Turkish Cypriot Ibrahim highlights the positive influence the Pride march has had, turning the spotlight on the islanders' similarities rather than differences.

Ibrahim Ucak: "Even though, like, we live in the same island, due to the division we do have, we, we developed actually like some different cultures. But we also have like, same culture as well. So, it, it's actually like, it actually gives us a chance to, like, see those, like, similarities as well."

In 1974, Cyprus split into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), recognised by Ankara alone, and the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus in the south. The Turkish military invasion, which precipitated the north-south fracture, has left the south predominantly Greek.

Despite living on the same island, the LGBTQ+ communities in the north and south encounter different challenges. Having decriminalised homosexuality in 1998 as an EU member state, Cyprus recognises same sex unions but so far prohibits marriage, whilst homosexuality wasn't decriminalised in the TRNC until 2014.

Walking with Diplomats for Equality, Duane Renzo considers that United by Pride's challenging the political status quo.

Duane Renzo: "Marching for the voiceless, because like, I mean, Pride is a protest, definitely; to support the gay community from both sides and to blur the line between the, the divide, between the north and the south, you know. Unity, that's what we want to achieve."

LGBTQ+ communities on both sides of the UN buffer zone have organised separate gatherings throughout Pride month. Nevertheless, it's hoped that United by Pride will demonstrate the appetite for unity amongst islanders.

A Cypriot living in London, Aphrodite, underscores the example minorities can set.

Aphrodite: "Hopefully, of course, there is progress in LGBTQI+ rights in Cyprus, but also, hopefully, it shows to people that as minorities, from both sides of the island, we have united. So, if we can unite, under all this prejudice, under all this prosecution, why can't the wider island, you know? So, hopefully, the next time we do this, there won't be a border we have to cross."