Gay Guide Cyprus

The accession of Cyprus to the European Union in 2004 made life significantly easier for the gay community there. Since the EU directives in its member states do not tolerate any deviations in the equality of homosexuals and heterosexuals, these were suspended before accession to the EU together with article 171, which made anal intercourse a punishable offence. In addition, the age of consent for homosexuals was lowered from 18 to 17 years and that for heterosexuals was raised to 17 years. Nevertheless, Cypriot society remains rather conservative, but there are constant improvements. In January 2014, it was decided to decriminalise homosexuality even in the northern part occupied by Turkish military. This means that there is no longer an area in Europe where homosexuality is illegal. Parliament made a registered partnership possible in November 2015 - it applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. In Cyprus's capital Nicosia, a Pride has been held every summer since 2014. The island in the eastern Mediterranean hosts gay establishments in four cities already - including bars, clubs and even a sauna in Larnaca.