Cyprus’ LGBTQIA+ community can now consult a newly launched registry of queer-friendly medical professionals across the island, an initiative introduced by the Queer Collective to address ongoing concerns around discrimination in healthcare settings.

The community directory is designed to help individuals identify doctors, therapists and specialists who have been recommended by peers as inclusive, respectful and non-discriminatory.

“Finding a doctor, therapist, or specialist who will treat you with dignity is harder than it should be in Cyprus,” the group said in a statement announcing the launch.

The directory currently lists ten medical professionals from various specialisations, including personal doctors, gynaecologists, a urologist and a psychiatrist. According to the Queer Collective, the list will expand as more recommendations are submitted and reviewed.

How the registry works

Entries are based exclusively on community recommendations. When a submission is received, the group reviews the information provided and cross-references whether the professional has been recommended previously before adding them to the registry.

The same online form can also be used to report concerns or negative experiences with listed professionals. The Queer Collective said all submissions are reviewed before any further steps are taken.

While the initiative aims to improve access to safer healthcare spaces, the organisation clarified that the directory is not an official certification system. It does not independently verify professional credentials nor guarantee the quality of medical services provided.

A matter of safety and dignity

For many within the LGBTQIA+ community, accessing healthcare can be a vulnerable experience. Although progress has been made in recent years, experiences of homophobia and queerphobia persist. Being able to consult a doctor with whom one can be fully open remains, for many, a critical factor in seeking timely and appropriate care.

The Queer Collective has invited community members to continue contributing to the registry by sharing recommendations or personal experiences, describing the directory as a collective effort to make healthcare access more inclusive across Cyprus.