Cyprus: First ever gay pride celebration to take place this year
Cyprus is set to hold its first ever gay pride event this year, celebrating an imminent repeal of a ban against homosexuality in the northern part of the country.
The festival, which is set to take place over fifteen days, will take place in Cyprus capital of Nicosia.
Constantinos Yiorkadjis, mayor of Nicosia, will also take part in the event
The event will be marked with a film festival, an art exhibition, and an anti-homophobia campaign in schools.
Costas Gavrielides, from ACCEPT LGBTI Cyprus, told the Cyprus Mail: “This is a testament to how far Cypriot society has come on issues of inclusion and acceptance.
“I am very glad we reached the point where we can organise a pride festival without fear. Acceptance is the key.”
The event will begin on May 17, with the parade in Nicosia taking place on May 31.
The bill still needs to be endorsed by Turkish Cypriot leader Derviş Eroğlu, but the MEP has received numerous assurances from Mr Eroğlu on her visits to the north part of the island that he supports the bill and will sign it into law.
The northern part of Cyprus is the last part of Europe where it is illegal to be gay
