Cyprus united by Pride - 28th June 2023

Cyprus is one island, but two countries. Now, LGBTQ+ communities in both countries are celebrating Pride together. The event - 'United by Pride' - is in the capital Nicosia.

The groups walked from the north and south. They partied together in the centre. This is a neutral zone with UN soldiers.

The two countries are similar, says Ibrahim.

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."

Turkey's army took the north of Cyprus in 1974. This is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus - the south - is mostly Greek.

LGBTQ+ life's different in the two countries. In the north, rules allowed LGBTQ+ lifestyles in 2014. In the south, it was 1998. And in the south, couples can have legal status. But, they can't get married.

Duane Renzo wants people to be united.

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."

The island's LGBTQ+ communities had separate Pride month events too. But United by Pride's an important symbol.

It shows people in Cyprus can be united, says Aphrodite.

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."