Lefkoşa hosts pride parade
HUNDREDS braved heavy downpours to bring colour to the streets of Lefkoşa in the name of gay rights.
A pride parade last Saturday from the capital’s Dereboyu shopping street to Uray Sokak in the walled city saw marchers hold aloft rainbow-coloured umbrellas and flags against the backdrop of grey skies.
The march was held ahead of Thursday’s International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and was backed by some 20 civil society organisations and trade unions.
The May 17 date — the anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s 1990 decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder — aims to raise worldwide awareness of LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) rights.
This year’s parade in North Cyprus was only the fifth since 2014, when MPs abolished Colonialera legislation which made homosexuality a crime.
The TRNC was the last country in Europe to repeal such laws. South Cyprus did so in 1998 following a European Court of Human Rights ruling.
Those taking part in last weekend’s parade, of all ages and including People’s Party Girne MP Jale Refik Rogers and Republican Turkish Party Girne mayoral candidate Birol Karaman, were applauded by some sitting at cafés and bars along the route.
Drummers and DJs kept “joyful” crowds entertained during a street party held as part of the day’s events, while activities such as film screenings, an art exhibition and a “90s party” were also organised.
A statement from the organisers highlighted the need to “eliminate” policies that “deny gender identity and sexual orientation diversities and LGBTI rights”.
They called on changes to the law to ensure equal rights and “deterrent sanctions” to prevent discrimination.
“The law can only bring about change with social transformation,” the statement said. “We believe radical changes that accept diversity must take place in family, healthcare, employment and education policies.”