Go Your Own Way — and Let It Be Proud

The annual 11th Pride march took place in Nicosia’s Municipal Garden under the patronage of the President of the Republic and the mayor of the capital, Offsite reports.
The Cyprus LGBTQ+ organization ACCEPT held the event under the slogan “Go Your Own Way — and Let It Be Proud.” The authors reimagined a common Cypriot expression, turning it into a call for freedom and visibility. Among the specific demands in this year’s manifesto are equal marriage, adoption, legal recognition of gender identity and protection from hate speech.
In 2006, only 14% of Cypriots supported same-sex marriage, but by 2023 that share had risen to 50%. However, according to a survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 48% of Cypriot respondents said they had experienced discrimination over the previous year, and only 25% openly disclose their identity.
Civil partnerships have been legal in Cyprus since 2015, and Article 99 of the Criminal Code criminalizes incitement to hatred. Nevertheless, full equality in marriage and adoption remains unfulfilled, and the Orthodox Church of Cyprus remains a steadfast opponent of expanding rights.