Pride unites Cyprus - 28th June 2023

A Pride month march in Cyprus has shown unity on an island which has been divided since 1974. 'United by Pride' celebrates the LGBTQ+ communities across the island and brings together people from the north and south of the island. Participants in the divided capital Nicosia simultaneously started their march towards the UN Green Line buffer zone, where they all celebrated.

Ibrahim thinks the march encourages people to focus on their similarities.

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."

The north of the island is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which is only recognised by Turkey. However, the Republic of Cyprus, in the south, is recognised internationally and is mainly Greek.

The LGBTQ+ communities on this divided island face different problems and realities. In 1998, Cyprus decriminalised homosexuality. Although same sex unions are legal, marriage still isn't. Meanwhile, in the TRNC, homosexuality wasn't decriminalised until 2014.

Duane Renzo, who marched with Diplomats for Equality, thinks that United by Pride is sending a positive message.

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."

During Pride month, queer communities on both sides of the UN Green Line hosted LGBTQ+ events. However, United by Pride encourages unity.

Aphrodite believes that the march sets a good example for the wider island.

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."