Theo Ieronymides on the Vision Behind United by Pride
"The driving force of this Pride, is reunification, peace, and intersectionality."
The LGBTQIA+ movement in Cyprus has seen significant growth and transformation, driven by grassroots activism and a renewed focus on inclusivity, peace, and community building. Theo Ieronymides, Co-founder of Queer Collective Cyprus, has been at the forefront of this movement, working to create a space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to connect, advocate for their rights, and foster reconciliation on the island. FastForward sat down with, who shares his personal journey, the vision behind Queer Collective Cyprus, and the importance of the upcoming United by Pride to unify communities across a divided Cyprus.
What inspired you personally to co-found the Queer Collective Cyprus, and how did your own experiences shape the vision and mission of the organisation?
I had been involved in initiatives and work within the community for a number of years. The idea of the Queer Collective was born out of conversations with a friend and co-founder of the Collective particularly during the lockdown periods of the pandemic and other fellow activists following my resignation from the Board of Directors of ACCEPT. Through various discussions, we started to identify topics and issues affecting LGBTQIA+ people in Cyprus and what we wanted to see change. The biggest issue was a tangible lack of a sense of community here in Cyprus. Thus, the Queer Collective was born.
Our approach is very much grassroots, focusing on building community support and tackling prejudice at the ground level
Our approach is very much grassroots, focusing on building community support and tackling prejudice at the ground level, rather than solely pushing for legislative changes. While lobbying for new laws is important, we believe that without strong community foundations and solidarity, these laws risk being ineffective if societal attitudes remain unchanged. A clear example is women’s reproductive rights in the US, where these are being rolled back and how important the role of grassroots organising has been in that fight. Our vision for the Queer Collective is to strengthen the sense of community among LGBTQIA+ people in Cyprus, ensuring that any progress made is deeply rooted and resilient.
United by Pride has a unique focus on unity, peace, and reconciliation in Cyprus. Could you tell us more about how this event came to be and why these themes are so central to its mission?
As I mentioned, we had numerous discussions about what we wanted to change and see happening in Cyprus. Once we formed the team that made up the Queer Collective, we realised that our shared vision—a seemingly crazy idea at the time—was to create a joint Pride. The response to the formation of the Queer Collective was overwhelmingly positive, and this momentum quickly brought us into conversations with friends and activists from both sides of the island. The prospect of a joint Pride was incredibly energising for all of us.
We began organising, navigating various parameters, reaching out to artists, and tapping into our networks. In a short amount of time, United by Pride was born, and it is now in its third year. While recounting it makes it sound simple, at the time, it was unprecedented. The hurdles we faced were unique, ranging from logistical challenges to navigating the sensitivities of a divided community. However, the drive to create a space for unity, peace, and reconciliation kept us moving forward, and these themes remain central to United by Pride’s mission today.
Why do you think it was necessary to create a second Pride event in addition to the one held in June? How do United by Pride and the June Pride differ in terms of focus and goals?
We actually have three Prides in Cyprus: one in the South, one in the North, and United by Pride. In the conversations we had, and in the purposes and intentions we set for United by Pride, we knew that we wanted to highlight the driving force of this Pride, which is reunification, peace, and intersectionality. We had joked in past years about the dream of a joint Pride in a reunified island, but since we didn’t want to sit around and wait, we saw this as an opportunity to create a platform to bring LGBTQIA+ people and allies who want reunification to show what is possible.
United by Pride offers something separate from the other Prides: uniting LGBTQIA+ people and allies not only in support of LGBTQIA rights but also for peace, reconciliation, and inclusion of all communities and minorities in a common aim. Ultimately, we want to rid ourselves of the status quo and be able to have Cyprus Pride as an intercommunal event without barriers.
Please see “About the Pride” on our poster and posts.
United by Pride features two parallel marches from North and South Nicosia converging at the UN Buffer Zone. What message do you hope to send by organising the event this way?
We want to show that there is a way forward for peace. We want to be able to provide a platform that practically brings together people from across our island in a shared vision of reconciliation. It is a powerful symbol and show of strength and ultimately a celebration of the resilience of LGBTQIA people, particularly migrants, asylum seekers, and minority LGBTQIA groups. Pride is always about remembering the hardships LGBTQIA people have faced and still face, while at the same time celebrating the strength within our communities.
By coming together for United by Pride, we want to show a way forward that dispels misconceptions and prejudices and practically demonstrates what we can achieve together. I’ll never forget the first time both marches met at the Buffer Zone; it was a powerful moment that encapsulated our collective hope and the tangible possibility of a united future.
What role does the ongoing political division in Cyprus play in shaping the LGBTQIA+ rights movement on the island? How does United by Pride address the challenges faced by a divided community?
The ongoing division has impacted LGBTQIA+ rights as it has impacted every aspect of life in Cyprus. When we speak of intersectional approaches and issues, the Cyprus problem is a practical example of how daily life is permeated by the ongoing division. It is indeed why we have three Prides in Cyprus. Although many societal issues LGBTQIA people face in the North are similar, they also differ, particularly in terms of legislative protections; hence, the Pride taking place in the North aims to highlight and address these, as does the Pride organised by ACCEPT in the South.
When we speak of intersectional approaches and issues, the Cyprus problem is a practical example of how daily life is permeated by the ongoing division.
United by Pride tries to bridge the divide. We are able to physically bring together LGBTQIA people and allies from across the island for a common purpose. This event alone is not the solution—it is merely a stepping stone to show that cooperation, coexistence, peace, and demands for respect of human rights and LGBTQIA lives are intersectional issues that can unite us and foster reunification. Our goal is to create visible, shared experiences that underline the commonalities between communities, making the case for a united future through lived, collective moments.
With multiple organisations such as Accept LGBTI Cyprus, Queer Cyprus Association, and others collaborating, how do you navigate different perspectives and approaches to create a unified event?
As with any situation where you have multiple participants, you inevitably have to navigate differing opinions, approaches, and even disagreements. United by Pride was proposed by the Queer Collective in 2022, and quite quickly Queer Cyprus, African LGBTIQ Cyprus, LGBT Pilipinas, LGBTQ+ Cypriot Diaspora, and various student LGBT Associations came on board and joined us in our vision. At the time, ACCEPT had rejected our invitation to create this initiative. Now in its 3rd year we are excited to say that all organisations dealing with LGBTQIA issues on the island are coming together in support of this initiative.
It is however still the case today that you hear general comments about the main organisation in the South being at odds with one another. This was particularly true when our team (Queer Collective Cyprus) launched in April 2022, and many did not understand that there are differing views, opinions, and demands within the LGBTQIA community itself—it just seemed like a foreign concept. However, the fact of the matter is that any disagreement comes down to political and practical approaches, differing opinions on priorities or indeed how to move forward. Some easy examples where our approaches differ are the priority placed on marriage equality or how the role of the police and the state are seen in cases of homophobic attacks or homophobic rhetoric. Navigating these issues requires setting aside egos, focusing on the issues, and engaging in open discussions about approaches. Unfortunately, in Cyprus, there is still a lack of political maturity and we lack many of the tools to have such conversations without taking things personally.
How do you balance the celebratory aspects of Pride, such as performances and parties, with the more serious political messages around peace, reconciliation, and LGBTQIA+ rights?
The first Pride was a riot, but even in its beginnings, it encapsulated and celebrated that spirit of resilience. Pride, for me, is such a unique occasion; it is a time to reflect and remember all that our communities have been through and what many still go through today. It is an opportunity for visibility and for raising demands within society, but at the same time, it is a celebration.
It is a celebration of our resilience and a reprise at the same time—to give a moment of pause, to enjoy what has been achieved, and to take strength for all that still needs to be done. It’s about honouring our past struggles but also energises our community for the ongoing fight for rights and recognition. I think also additionally the reality of everyday life for many LGBTQIA people is one with restrictions, aggressions, exclusion even hiding their identity; a cause for celebration is much needed and required. Coming together and taking up space on a dancefloor, enjoying ourselves in a liberated manner, these are political acts.
What are the next major goals for the Queer Collective Cyprus in terms of expanding LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility on the island?
Our values and goals remain unchanged. We want to enhance visibility and community support by creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals to connect and express themselves freely. We plan to expand our initiatives to include more community oriented activities while also continuing our collaborations with local and diaspora artists to offer a platform and outlet both for our local communities as well as for artists and performers.
Some of our upcoming projects include expanding our STI information and resource initiatives; a collaborative project aimed at training professionals in Cyprus on various relevant topics (more will be announced soon).
Its also important to note that individuals from our community have approached us for a number of activities and projects and we encourage anyone with an idea and with passion to reach out to make it happen.
On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, "United by Pride" will commence with two parallel pride marches starting at 18:00. One march will begin at Eleftheria Square in South Nicosia, and the other at Kuğulu Park in North Nicosia. Both marches will converge at the UN Buffer Zone at 19:00.
