June 7, 2015
Thousands Turn Out for Cyprus' 2nd Gay Pride Parade
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Several thousand people marched in the streets of Cyprus' capital for the east Mediterranean island nation's second gay pride parade as detractors stayed away.
Parade organizer and ACCEPT-LGBT Cyprus President Costas Gavrielides says turnout was roughly the same as that of last year's inaugural parade, showing that taboos in the country are fading away.
Gavrielides also noted that critics were a no-show at Saturday's parade, while more politicians have embraced the event.
Last year, scuffles broke out after police prevented a small group of Orthodox Christian protesters from approaching the parade.
Gavrielides says he's pleased the Cypriot government has approved a long-awaited civil partnership bill. Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos says he's confident parliament will approve the bill.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
