LGBTIQ people in Cyprus face persistent discrimination, violence and negative social attitudes, according to a survey conducted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Fear
The study showed that 71% of individuals in Cyprus avoid holding hands with their same-sex partners often or always, significantly higher than the EU-27 average of 53%.
Additionally, 39% of respondents in Cyprus avoid certain locations out of fear of assault, surpassing the EU-27 average of 29%.
Social exclusion
Social exclusion and stigmatisation are further highlighted in the report. A 16-year-old lesbian girl from Cyprus stated “I’m afraid of abandonment and being condemned for something that is out of my control”.
Similarly, a 26-year-old pansexual woman noted that she received threats and psychological blackmail from people in her very close family circle to change her sexual identity.
A 27-year-old bisexual woman observed that “being queer in Cyprus is slowly becoming more socially accepted”, however, she further pointed out that expressing openly her sexual identity amounts to “social suicide”. “I wish I could leave”, she concludes.
Discrimination
The research also highlights a trend of discrimination, with 37% of individuals in Cyprus reporting discrimination at work or during job searches, compared to the EU-27 average of 19%.
Discrimination permeates various aspects of life, with 50% of respondents in Cyprus experiencing discrimination in at least one area, compared to 37% across the EU-27.
Violence and harassment
Instances of violence and harassment are also prevalent, with 14% of respondents in Cyprus reporting attacks within the past five years, slightly higher than the EU-27 average of 13%. Furthermore, 52% of respondents in Cyprus reported harassment within the past year.
Bullying and conversion abuse are pervasive issues, with 73% of respondents in Cyprus reporting instances of bullying during their time in school, higher than the EU-27 average of 67%.
Moreover, 37% of respondents in Cyprus have undergone so-called ‘conversion’ practices, aimed at changing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. For the EU-27 it is 24%.
Intolerance and prejudice persist, with 43% of respondents in Cyprus witnessing an increase in violence against LGBTIQ individuals and 40% noting a rise in prejudice and intolerance over the past five years.
Reporting hate
Reporting of hate-motivated violence and discrimination remains low, with only 19% of victims in Cyprus seeking police assistance, a figure that is nonetheless slightly above the 11% figure of the EU-27 average.
Similarly, only 12% of discrimination cases were reported to relevant organisations in Cyprus, mirroring the EU-27 average.
Education
The study also reveals significant gaps in education, with 65% of LGBTIQ students in Cyprus concealing their identities at school. Additionally, only 27% of students reported receiving support for their rights as LGBTIQ individuals, while 61% stated that LGBTIQ issues were never addressed in their school curriculum.
Across the EU
Despite some advancements, the report highlights a concerning reality of discrimination, violence, and harassment endured by LGBTIQ individuals across the EU.
While more than half of respondents are now openly identifying with their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, a significant portion still refrains from basic displays of affection, fearing violence.
Discrimination remains widespread, with over a third of respondents reporting daily encounters with it, yet most incidents go unreported, emphasising the pervasive nature of the issue.
Moreover, violence and harassment persist, with a notable increase in hate-motivated incidents affecting over half of the respondents.
The survey further underscores the mental health toll on LGBTIQ individuals, with over a third admitting to contemplating suicide, and even more distressingly, over half of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals reporting suicidal thoughts.
Additionally, the prevalence of ‘conversion’ practices, which aim to change sexual orientation or gender identity, remains concerning, affecting one in four individuals surveyed.
Government efforts to combat prejudice and intolerance seem insufficient, with only a quarter of respondents believing that their governments are effectively addressing these pressing issues.
While there are positive strides in education regarding LGBTIQ matters, such as increased awareness in schools, the overall findings highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive support and protection for the LGBTIQ community across the EU.
This survey draws on findings from over 100,000 respondents from all 27 EU countries, Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.
(Picture by REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou)
(in cyprus)
