Skip to main content

Country Overview

Cyprus

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

View more for this country:

Cyprus has progressed significantly in protecting the rights of LGBTIQ people in the last decade. In 2014, Northern Cyprus was the last territory in Europe to decriminalize same-sex relations. Today, same-sex couples are legally recognized through civil unions, although the Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus opposes same-sex marriage and the granting of other rights to LGBTIQ people. 

Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned, but other forms of discrimination against LGBTIQ people remain legal. In 2015, Cyprus criminalized incitement to violence or hatred on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This was strengthened in 2017 when the criminal code was updated to provide aggravated penalties when a crime is committed based on the victim’s sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2023, Cyprus prohibited conversion practices. However, the law relies entirely on criminal sanctions and does not address root causes. In October 2024, the Cyprus Council of Ministers approved the creation of a National LGBTI Strategy aimed at combating discrimination, ensuring equality and safety, and building an inclusive society for LGBTI people. 

Several civil society organizations are working to end violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ people in Cyprus. In 2014, Cyprus held its first Pride event, which has since been an annual celebration.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

View this region

United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

View this region

Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

View this region

Southwest Asia and North Africa

In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



View this region

Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

View this region

Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

View this region

Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

View this region

Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

Read Our Reports