The Cyprus Chapter of Diplomats for Equality (D4E) marks the 2025 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) at a critical juncture. Today, we reaffirm our unwavering support for LGBTQI+ individuals in Cyprus and globally, recognising the increasingly challenging environment currently faced by marginalised communities.

Globally, we are witnessing concerning developments, including hostile public rhetoric and legislative amendments in several countries aimed at limiting discourse on LGBTQI+ issues in educational settings, governments, businesses, and the public sphere. We are deeply concerned by these regressive steps, which threaten the visibility, human rights, and safety of LGBTQI+ communities, including by the ban of Pride marches. Pride marches serve a vital platform for societal dialogue, celebrating diversity, and reinforcing the universal values of equality and human dignity for all individuals.

Diplomats for Equality network, once more, congratulates the Republic of Cyprus on its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027. This achievement reflects Cyprus’s strong commitment to human rights both domestically and internationally. We anticipate that this membership will result in meaningful advancements for the LGBTQI+ community, locally and globally, and we look forward to the effective implementation of the government's relevant initiatives. Furthermore, we look into Cyprus's forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU to strongly encourage EU governments to prioritise human rights, including the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals.

We commend the unwavering advocacy and substantial contributions of local LGBTQI+ civil society organisations across all Cyprus, including Accept – LGBTI Cyprus, Queer Cyprus Association, Rainbow Families Cyprus, Queer Wave, LGBT Africa, LGBT Pilipinas, Queer Collective, University of Nicosia LGBTQ+ Club, LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora, and others. Their ongoing efforts are fundamental in promoting education, enhancing visibility, and fostering critical public discourse on equality and human rights.

We also acknowledge the pivotal role Cypriot businesses play in creating inclusive workplaces, especially in the face of conflicting societal narratives. We encourage businesses to demonstrate solidarity by implementing inclusive human resources policies, providing diversity training, and fostering supportive environments for LGBTQI+ employees. Foreign missions in Cyprus who are members of the Diplomats for Equality network remain committed to assisting businesses in promoting these inclusive practices.

On this IDAHOBIT 2025, Diplomats for Equality Cyprus stand united and resolute. We look forward to joining local communities in the upcoming Pride Marches in Nicosia on 17 May and 31 May and we pledge continued support and solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community in advocating for a future where every individual can live openly, safely, and equally.

• Australian High Commission

• Austrian Embassy

• Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium

• British High Commission

• High Commission of Canada

• Embassy of Colombia

• Embassy of Czechia

• Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark

• Embassy of the Republic of Estonia

• Embassy of the French Republic

• Embassy of Finland

• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

• Embassy of the Hellenic Republic

• Embassy of Iceland

• Embassy of Ireland

• Embassy of the State of Israel

• Embassy of Japan

• Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania

• Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

• High Commission of the Republic of Malta

• Embassy of Mexico

• Embassy of Montenegro

• Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

• High Commission of New Zealand

• Royal Norwegian Embassy

• Embassy of the Portuguese Republic

• Embassy of the Republic of San Marino

• Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain

• Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden

• Embassy of Switzerland

• Representation of the European Commission

• Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus

• as well as:

  • UN Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary General (OSASG-Cyprus)

  • United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP)

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Cyprus)