Cyprus: United by Pride

Cyprus, an island divided since 1974, has come together to celebrate Pride. 'United by Pride' is now in its second year with LGBTQ+ communities on both sides of the UN Green Line, in the capital Nicosia, setting off at the same time, from a square in the south and a park in the north, just 1.5 kilometres apart.

Ibrahim, a Turkish Cypriot, believes the event presents people with the opportunity to see 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."

Cyprus was divided into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), following the Turkish army's invasion, in 1974, but is recognised only by Ankara. The south, which is the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, is predominantly Greek.

LGBTQ+ communities in the north and south of the island face different challenges. EU member Cyprus decriminalised homosexuality in 1998, it permits same sex unions but not marriage. In the TRNC, homosexuality wasn't decriminalised until 2014.

Duane Renzo, marching with Diplomats for Equality, feels United by Pride is one way of breaking down the political divide.

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+ organisations on both sides of the UN Green Line held separate events during Pride month but hope that United by Pride will, perhaps, be a symbol to unify the island.

Aphrodite is a Cypriot living in London.

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."

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