Cyprus

Disclaimer: This information on the situation of homosexuals all over the world may not be completely accurate or up-to-date. The information is gathered on the Internet and in other publications. If you have any additional information, corrections, comments or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact me at <never@heterosexual.com>

Updated 98-06-03

Information on the situation for homosexuals in Cyprus:

Legal

As of May 21, 1998, the law in Cyprus which prohibited homosexual acts between consenting adults is no more! Amnesty International and several gay organizations have fought for this for years. However, the fact that the law was a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights made the pro-European parliament vote for a repeal of the inhuman law or face disciplinary action which might have included expulsion from the Council. The Parliament has ducked and stalled until the end in the face of intense religious opposition. The Bible-clutching opposition in the audience remained silent during the voting session.

A spokesperson of the Pancyprian Christian Orthodox Movement (PAHOK) said, among other things, "We are not against homosexuals, we are against what they do. It does not sit with our Orthodox way of living and it's giving the wrong message to kids that homosexuality is normal." Seems like you still have a long way to go, Cyprus!

It seems that gay sex wasn't quite as legalized as first thought. Recent amendments to the gay sex bill target gay men and acts like "unnatural licentiousness", "indecent proposals", and "advertising". It is clear that this means gay men do not share the same, basic human rights as everyone else in Cyprus! NewsPlanet article

The exorbitant fear of HIV and homosexuals in general within the Orthodox Church has recently taken its expression in the unfrocking of a popular priest just because he has AIDS. The leader of the church, whose anti-gay sentiments are well-known, said that for a person with AIDS to administer communion would be the same as "infecting someone with a contaminated needle"! NewsPlanet

If you have any further information on the current situation in Cyprus, or if you know whether Cyprus officially lies in Europe or Asia, please contact me.

Age of consent	Male-Female	Male-Male	Female-Female
Cyprus	16	16?	16?

Homosexuality was legalized on May 21, 1998! I have not found anything on the age of consent for homosexual acts.

Further information on the situation in Cyprus can be found at:

Gay Cyprus

Kypros-Net

CyBC live broadcast Watch Cypriotic TV!

Statistics:

Republic, Asia (or Europe according to some)
Area: 9,251 km²
(with Turkish territory)
Population: 729,800
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: pound
Independence Day: Oct. 1

ISO 3166 Internet Country Code(s): .cy

Turkish occupied territory:
("Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus")

Capital : Lefkosa
National Holiday: Oct. 29

I haven't found anything on gay life in Turkish Cyprus yet, but in Turkey, homosexuality is legal (not mentioned), and the age of consent is 18.

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