Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus

In 2010, the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary, Lazaros Savvides, indicated that the Cypriot Government was considering whether to legalise same-sex marriage in Cyprus.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/government-look-legalising-gay-marriage/20100228 |title=Government to look at legalising gay marriage|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Charles|last=Charalambous|date=28 February 2010|access-date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409010240/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/government-look-legalising-gay-marriage/20100228|archive-date=9 April 2013}} This was followed in 2013 with an announcement by Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou that her ministry was working on a parliamentary bill to establish civil partnerships.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/civil-partnership/moving-towards-civil-partnerships/20130117|title=Moving towards civil partnerships|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Poly|last=Pantelides|date=17 January 2013|access-date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210053448/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/civil-partnership/moving-towards-civil-partnerships/20130117|archive-date=10 February 2013}} The Cypriot Government subsequently gave its official approval to the draft bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/accept-lgbt/lgbt-group-hails-decision-civil-partnerships/20130220|title=LGBT group hails decision on civil partnerships|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Poly|last=Pantelides|date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210053448/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/civil-partnership/moving-towards-civil-partnerships/20130117|archive-date=10 February 2013}} In March of that year, President Nicos Anastasiades, who had been elected in the 2013 presidential election, reaffirmed his support for the bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/christos-stylianides/disy-fully-backs-civil-partnerships/20130308|title=DISY 'fully backs civil partnerships'|work=Cyprus Mail|date=8 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504170832/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/christos-stylianides/disy-fully-backs-civil-partnerships/20130308|archive-date=4 May 2013}} In November 2013, Interior Minister Socratis Hasikos confirmed that the bill remained on the government agenda. A draft had been prepared and was sent to other ministries for review, with the intention of holding a parliamentary vote in April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2013/11/19/civil-partnership-bill-will-go-ahead/|title=Civil partnership bill will go ahead|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Constantinos|last=Psillides|date=19 November 2013|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401204724/http://cyprus-mail.com/2013/11/19/civil-partnership-bill-will-go-ahead/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} In June 2014, the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary, Constantinos Nicolaides, confirmed that the bill had been delayed.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/05/31/civil-partnerships-still-a-long-way-off/ |title=Civil partnerships still a long way off|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Constantinos|last=Psillides|date=31 May 2014|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401205316/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/05/31/civil-partnerships-still-a-long-way-off/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} Hasikos clarified that a proposed bill would "need consensus from all political parties before moving forward". He gave all parties a copy of the bill and asked that they study it in time for a second meeting that September. Hasikos stressed that "he would not hold a vote until he was sure all parties were in favour".{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/07/04/civil-partnership-bill-needs-consensus-hasikos-tells-mps |title=Civil partnership bill needs consensus, Hasikos tells MPs |work=Cyprus Mail|date=4 July 2014|first=Constantinos|last=Psillides|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401205655/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/07/04/civil-partnership-bill-needs-consensus-hasikos-tells-mps/|archive-date=1 April 2017}}

In March 2014, the head of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, signalled his opposition to plans to introduce either civil partnership or marriage rights, urging churches to take a stand against homosexuality and accusing secular governments of "weakening moral integrity" through acknowledging equal rights to gay people: "When, for example, governments legalise not only plain civil partnership but 'homosexual marriage', the Church must be unequivocal in condemning homosexuality."{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/storm-of-protest-over-archbishops-anti-gay-comments/ |title=Storm of protest over Archbishop's anti-gay comments |work=Cyprus Mail|first=Angelos|last=Anastasiou|date=9 March 2014|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401210045/http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/storm-of-protest-over-archbishops-anti-gay-comments/|archive-date=1 April 2017}}

{{Same-sex marriage map Europe|align=right}}

On 6 May 2015, the Council of Ministers approved a bill establishing gender-neutral "cohabitation agreements", offering many of the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/05/06/cabinet-approves-bill-on-civil-partnerships|title=Cabinet approves bill on civil partnerships|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Constantinos |last=Psillides|date=6 May 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401210540/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/05/06/cabinet-approves-bill-on-civil-partnerships/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} On 6 June 2015, the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party announced its support for the partnership bill.{{cite web|url=http://disy.org.cy/%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%8D%CE%BC%CF%86%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%BF-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B2%CE%AF%CF%89%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82.html|title=Συνεδρία Πολιτικού Γραφείου Δημοκρατικού Συναγερμού – Απόφαση για Σύμφωνο Συμβίωσης|publisher=Democratic Rally|date=7 June 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401211126/http://disy.org.cy/%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%B9%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%8D-%CE%B3%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%8D%CE%BC%CF%86%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%BF-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BC%CE%B2%CE%AF%CF%89%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82.html|archive-date=1 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/06/06/nicosia-readies-for-second-gay-pride-parade|title=Gay pride parade held in Nicosia|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Katy|last=Turner|date=6 June 2013|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401211323/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/06/06/nicosia-readies-for-second-gay-pride-parade/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} The bill had its first reading on 18 June.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/06/18/civil-partnerships-a-reckless-novelty-bishop-says/|title=Civil partnerships a 'reckless novelty' Bishop says|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Jean|last=Christou|date=18 June 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401211709/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/06/18/civil-partnerships-a-reckless-novelty-bishop-says/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} On 1 July, the House of Representatives decided to rename the proposed partnership recognition scheme to "civil cohabitation".{{in lang|tr}} [http://www.cna.org.cy/webnews-tr.aspx?a=0fb47576f6694c1ea7ace0a80090bb9b Temsilciler Meclisinde, sivil birlikte yaşama üzerine bir yasa tasarısı çoğunluk tarafından onaylandı]{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/07/01/house-attempts-to-speed-up-civil-partnerships-bill/|title=House tinkers with civil partnership bill ahead of vote|work=Cyprus Mail|first=George|last=Psyllides|date=1 July 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401212105/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/07/01/house-attempts-to-speed-up-civil-partnerships-bill/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} The second reading was initially scheduled for 9 July, but was postponed until autumn.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/07/09/civil-unions-bill-must-wait-after-backroom-moves-to-water-it-down/|title=Civil unions bill must wait after 'backroom moves' to water it down|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Elias|last=Hazou|date=9 July 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401212526/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/07/09/civil-unions-bill-must-wait-after-backroom-moves-to-water-it-down/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} The bill passed its final reading on 26 November 2015 in a 39–12 vote with 3 abstentions.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/11/26/house-passes-htnerships-bill/|title=House passes historic civil partnerships bill|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Elias|last=Hazou|date=26 November 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401212848/http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/11/26/house-passes-htnerships-bill/|archive-date=1 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/|title=Civil unions become law|work=Cyprus Weekly|date=26 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528214437/http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/|archive-date=28 May 2016}} Those voting in favour were members of the ruling DISY party, the Democratic Party (DIKO), the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), the Movement for Social Democracy, the Ecological and Environmental Movement, and the European Party. Of the 12 MPs that voted against the bill, 6 were members of DISY, 3 were members of DIKO, 1 was a member of Citizens' Alliance, 1 was a member of AKEL, and 1 was an independent. The 3 lawmakers who abstained were all members of DISY. The law was signed by President Anastasiades, published in the government gazette on 9 December 2015 and took effect that same day.{{cite web|url=http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/gpo/gpo.nsf/All/13619D477EE08945C2257F16002C668D/$file/4543%209%2012%202015%20PARARTIMA%201o%20MEROS%20I.pdf|title=ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΝΟΜΟΘΕΣΙΑ – ΜΕΡΟΣ Ι Αριθμός 4543 Τετάρτη ,9 Δεκεμβρίου 2015: Αριθμός 184(Ι) του 2015 ΝΟΜΟΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΝΟΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΑΨΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΒΙΩΣΗΣ|publisher=Ministry of Finance of Cyprus|pages=14–32|date=9 December 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401214130/http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/gpo/gpo.nsf/All/13619D477EE08945C2257F16002C668D/$file/4543%209%2012%202015%20PARARTIMA%201o%20MEROS%20I.pdf|archive-date=1 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://avmag.gr/60340/60340/|title=Τέθηκε σε ισχύ η πολιτική συμβίωση στην Κύπρο|publisher=Antivirus|date=11 December 2015|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401214526/http://avmag.gr/60340/60340/|archive-date=1 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-bill-in-effect/|title=Civil Unions Bill in effect|work=Cyprus Weekly|date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102139/http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-bill-in-effect/|archive-date=4 March 2016}} The first civil partnership was registered on 29 January 2016 between two women.{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/01/20/first-civil-partnership-to-be-signed-interest-grows/|title=First civil partnership to be signed, interest grows|work=Cyprus Mail|first=Annette|last=Chrysostomou|date=20 January 2016|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401224522/http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/01/20/first-civil-partnership-to-be-signed-interest-grows/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} The first public ceremony was held in Nicosia on 4 March 2016 between Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/cyprus-first-public-gay-wedding-takes-aim-prejudices-185206480.html?ref=gs|title=Cyprus' first public gay wedding takes aim at prejudices|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822201241/https://www.yahoo.com/news/cyprus-first-public-gay-wedding-takes-aim-prejudices-185206480.html?ref=gs|archive-date=22 August 2016}}

The legislation established a partnership scheme known as civil cohabitation ({{langx|el|πολιτική συμβίωση}}, {{transl|el|politikí symvíosi}}, {{IPA|el|politiˈci simˈvi.osi|pron}}; {{langx|tr|sivil birliktelik}}, {{IPA|tr|siˈvil biɾlicteˈlic|pron}}) open to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This provides civil partners with several of the legal rights and benefits of marriage, including hospital visitation rights, tax benefits and property rights, but excluding adoption rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.mondaq.com/cyprus/human-rights/1089956/civil-partnership|title=Cyprus: Civil Partnership|date=12 July 2012|last=Polydorou|first=Ioanna}}

By 18 April 2016, eight same-sex partnerships had been registered in Cyprus.{{cite web|url=http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-cyprus-weekly/|title=Civil unions bringing change to Cyprus|work=Cyprus Weekly|date=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427204707/http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-cyprus-weekly/|archive-date=27 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/04/19/eight-same-sex-couples-enter-civil-partnership-in-cyprus/|title=Eight Same-Sex Couples Enter Civil Partnership in Cyprus|publisher=Greek Reporter|first=Evgenia|last=Choros|date=19 April 2016|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401223508/http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/04/19/eight-same-sex-couples-enter-civil-partnership-in-cyprus/|archive-date=1 April 2017}} By October of the same year, that number had increased to approximately 70 couples.{{cite web|url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=78736|title=Gay Rights Groups Build Alliances to Counter Climate of Fear|agency=Associated Press|work=Between the Lines|date=27 October 2016|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401223826/http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=78736|archive-date=1 April 2017}}

Civil partnerships are also popular among different-sex couples. As of August 2017, heterosexual couples accounted for about 70% of all partnerships, while same-sex couples made up the remaining 30%.{{in lang|el}} [http://politis.com.cy/article/simfono-simviosis-epilexan-159-eterofila-zevgaria-ke-26-omofilofila Σύμφωνο συμβίωσης επιλέξαν 159 ετερόφυλα ζευγάρια και 26 ομόφυλα] By December 2020, around 1,700 partnerships had been registered, with 90% of these being between heterosexual couples.{{cite web|url=https://www.gavrielides.com/blogs/post/5xronia_politiki_simviosi|title=Πέντε χρόνια Πολιτικής Συμβίωσης|date=9 December 2020|language=el}}

Same-sex marriage is not legal in Cyprus. The Constitution of Cyprus does not explicitly ban same-sex marriages. Article 22 states that "[a]ny person reaching nubile age is free to marry and to found a family according to the law relating to marriage, applicable to such person under the provisions of this Constitution."{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cyprus_2013.pdf?lang=en|title=Cyprus's Constitution of 1960 with Amendments through 2013|work=Constitute Project|accessdate=16 September 2022}} In September 2022, activists campaigned for legalization at Cyprus Pride.{{cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/15/nine-days-of-events-to-mark-pride-2022/|title=Nine days of events to mark Pride 2022|work=Cyprus Mail|date=15 September 2022|last=Philippou|first=Eleni}} A number of candidates running in the 2023 presidential election stated their support for same-sex marriage, including the winner, Nikos Christodoulides, and runner-up Andreas Mavroyiannis.{{cite web|url=https://www.alphanews.live/politics/poioi-ypopsifioi-tha-pane-sto-pride-ki-i-thesi-toys-gia-gamo-kai-teknothesia|title=Ποιοι υποψήφιοι θα πάνε στο Pride κι η θέση τους για γάμο και τεκνοθεσία|work=alphanews.live|date=24 September 2022|language=el|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924104701/https://www.alphanews.live/politics/poioi-ypopsifioi-tha-pane-sto-pride-ki-i-thesi-toys-gia-gamo-kai-teknothesia|archive-date=24 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/02/01/redesign-of-education-policy-at-fore-of-presidential-hopefuls-vision/|title=Andreas Mavroyiannis: Redesign of education policy at fore of hopeful"s vision|work=Cyprus Mail|date=1 February 2023}}

Following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Greece in February 2024, a government spokesman said that "politicians and society are not ready for gay marriage and adoption" but that "at some point this dialogue will be opened in Cyprus".{{cite web|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/02/16/cyprus-is-not-ready-for-gay-marriage/|title=Cyprus is not ready for gay marriage|work=Cyprus Mail|date=16 February 2024|first=Nikolaos|last=Prakas}}{{cite web|url=https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/exploring-the-possibility-of-same-sex-marriage-in-cyprus|title=Exploring the possibility of same-sex marriage in Cyprus|work=KNews|date=3 March 2024}} In May 2024, Annita Demetriou, the President of the House of Representatives, said that "Cyprus is not yet ready" for the legalization of same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=https://www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr/epikairotita/annita-dimitriou-gia-gamo-omofylofilon-den-mporei-na-ginei-stin-kypro-kati-tetoio/|language=el|date=22 May 2024|title=Αννίτα Δημητρίου για γάμο ομοφυλοφίλων: Δεν μπορεί να γίνει στην Κύπρο κάτι τέτοιο|work=Orthodoxia News Agency}} However, in March 2024, Kathimerini predicted the issue to "soon come to the political forefront". The Progressive Party of Working People, the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation and Volt Cyprus have expressed support for same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=https://www.kathimerini.com.cy/gr/politiki/gamos-omofylon-zeygariwn-se-amixania-kommata-kai-proedriko|language=el|work=Kathimerini|title=Γάμος ομόφυλων ζευγαριών: Σε αμηχανία κόμματα και Προεδρικό|date=4 March 2024}}

The 2006 Eurobarometer found that only 14% of Cypriots were in favour of same-sex marriage.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080514204804/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/14203 Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage]}} Angus Reid Global Monitor This was the third lowest in the European Union at the time; only in Latvia and Romania was support lower. The 2015 Eurobarometer found that support had increased to 37%, while 56% were opposed.[http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer 437] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017162431/http://www.equineteurope.org/IMG/pdf/ebs_437_en.pdf |date=17 October 2015 }}

A 2014 survey found that 53.3% of Cypriots supported civil unions or partnerships for same-sex couples.[http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/03/09/storm-of-protest-over-archbishops-anti-gay-comments/ Storm of protest over Archbishop"s anti-gay comments]

The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 36% of Cypriots thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 60% were opposed.{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/ResultDoc/download/DocumentKy/87771|title=Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU|work=TNS|publisher=European Commission|access-date=23 September 2019|page=2}} The 2023 Eurobarometer showed that support had increased to 50%, while 44% were opposed. The survey also found that 46% of Cypriots thought that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex", while 50% disagreed. This was the first time an opinion poll had found majority support for same-sex marriage in Cyprus, showing a steady increase in support for LGBT rights.{{cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2972|title=Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union|access-date=1 January 2024|publisher=Europa (web portal)}}

• LGBT rights in Cyprus
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
• Same-sex marriage in Akrotiri and Dhekelia

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