Cyprus has recognised same-sex unions since 9 December 2015. Legislation to establish civil cohabitations was approved by the Cypriot Parliament on 26 November 2015, and took effect on 9 December upon publication in the government gazette.

Civil cohabitation

Background

In 2010, the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary, Lazaros Savvides, indicated that the Cypriot Government was considering whether to legalise same-sex marriage in Cyprus.[1] This was followed in 2013 with an announcement by Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou that her ministry was working on a parliamentary bill to establish civil partnerships.[2] The Cypriot Government subsequently gave its official approval to the draft bill.[3] In March of that year, President Nicos Anastasiades, who had been elected in the 2013 presidential election, reaffirmed his support for the bill.[4] In November 2013, Interior Minister Socratis Hasikos confirmed that the bill remained on the government agenda. A draft had been prepared and was sent to other ministries for review, with the intention of holding a parliamentary vote in April 2014.[5] In June 2014, the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary, Constantinos Nicolaides, confirmed that the bill had been delayed.[6] Hasikos clarified that a proposed bill would "need consensus from all political parties before moving forward". He gave all parties a copy of the bill and asked that they study it in time for a second meeting that September. Hasikos stressed that "he would not hold a vote until he was sure all parties were in favour".[7]

In March 2014, the head of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, signalled his opposition to plans to introduce either civil partnership or marriage rights, urging churches to take a stand against homosexuality and accusing secular governments of "weakening moral integrity" through acknowledging equal rights to gay people: "When, for example, governments legalise not only plain civil partnership but 'homosexual marriage', the Church must be unequivocal in condemning homosexuality."[8]

Passage of legislation in 2015

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹
  Marriage
  Civil union
  Limited domestic recognition (cohabitation)
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.

On 6 May 2015, the Council of Ministers approved a bill establishing gender-neutral "cohabitation agreements", offering many of the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage.[9] On 6 June 2015, the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party announced its support for the partnership bill.[10][11] The bill had its first reading on 18 June.[12] On 1 July, the House of Representatives decided to rename the proposed partnership recognition scheme to "civil cohabitation".[13][14] The second reading was initially scheduled for 9 July, but was postponed until autumn.[15] The bill passed its final reading on 26 November 2015 in a 39–12 vote with 3 abstentions.[16][17] Those voting in favour were members of the ruling DISY party, the Democratic Party (DIKO), the Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), the Movement for Social Democracy, the Ecological and Environmental Movement, and the European Party. Of the 12 MPs that voted against the bill, 6 were members of DISY, 3 were members of DIKO, 1 was a member of Citizens' Alliance, 1 was a member of AKEL, and 1 was an independent. The 3 lawmakers who abstained were all members of DISY. The law was signed by President Anastasiades, published in the government gazette on 9 December 2015 and took effect that same day.[18][19][20] The first civil partnership was registered on 29 January 2016 between two women.[21] The first public ceremony was held in Nicosia on 4 March 2016 between Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades.[22]

The legislation established a partnership scheme known as civil cohabitation (Greek: πολιτική συμβίωση, politikí symvíosi, pronounced [politiˈci simˈviosi]; Turkish: sivil birliktelik, pronounced [siˈvil biɾlictæˈlic]) open to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This provides civil partners with several of the legal rights and benefits of marriage, such as hospital visitation rights, tax benefits and property rights, among others, but excluding adoption rights.[23]

Statistics

By 18 April 2016, eight same-sex partnerships had been registered in Cyprus.[24][25] By October of the same year, that number had increased to approximately 70 couples.[26]

Civil partnerships are also popular among different-sex couples. As of August 2017, heterosexual couples accounted for about 70% of all partnerships, while same-sex couples made up the remaining 30%.[27] By December 2020, around 1,700 partnerships had been registered, with 90% of these being between heterosexual couples.[28]

Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is not legal in Cyprus. The Constitution of Cyprus does not explicitly ban same-sex marriages. Article 22 states that "[a]ny person reaching nubile age is free to marry and to found a family according to the law relating to marriage, applicable to such person under the provisions of this Constitution."[29] In September 2022, activists campaigned for legalization at Cyprus Pride.[30] A number of candidates running in the 2023 presidential election stated their support for same-sex marriage, including the winner, Nikos Christodoulides, and runner-up Andreas Mavroyiannis.[31][32]

Public opinion

The 2006 Eurobarometer found that only 14% of Cypriots were in favour of same-sex marriage.[33] This was the third lowest in the European Union at the time; only in Latvia and Romania was support lower. The 2015 Eurobarometer found that support had increased to 37%, while 56% were opposed.[34]

A 2014 survey found that 53.3% of Cypriots supported civil unions or partnerships for same-sex couples.[35]

The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 36% of Cypriots thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 60% were opposed.[36] The 2023 Eurobarometer showed that support had increased to 50%, while 44% were opposed. The survey also found that 46% of Cypriots thought that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex", while 50% disagreed. This was the first time an opinion poll had found that a majority of Cypriots supported same-sex marriage, showing a steady increase in support for LGBT rights.[37]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Charalambous, Charles (28 February 2010). "Government to look at legalising gay marriage". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ↑ Pantelides, Poly (17 January 2013). "Moving towards civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. ↑ Pantelides, Poly (17 January 2013). "LGBT group hails decision on civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "DISY 'fully backs civil partnerships'". Cyprus Mail. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013.
  5. ↑ Psillides, Constantinos (19 November 2013). "Civil partnership bill will go ahead". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Psillides, Constantinos (31 May 2014). "Civil partnerships still a long way off". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  7. ↑ Psillides, Constantinos (4 July 2014). "Civil partnership bill needs consensus, Hasikos tells MPs". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Anastasiou, Angelos (9 March 2014). "Storm of protest over Archbishop's anti-gay comments". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  9. ↑ Psillides, Constantinos (6 May 2015). "Cabinet approves bill on civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Συνεδρία Πολιτικού Γραφείου Δημοκρατικού Συναγερμού - Απόφαση για Σύμφωνο Συμβίωσης". Democratic Rally. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Turner, Katy (6 June 2013). "Gay pride parade held in Nicosia". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  12. ↑ Christou, Jean (18 June 2015). "Civil partnerships a 'reckless novelty' Bishop says". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  13. ↑ (in Turkish) Temsilciler Meclisinde, sivil birlikte yaşama üzerine bir yasa tasarısı çoğunluk tarafından onaylandı
  14. ↑ Psyllides, George (1 July 2015). "House tinkers with civil partnership bill ahead of vote". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  15. ↑ Hazou, Elias (9 July 2015). "Civil unions bill must wait after 'backroom moves' to water it down". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  16. ↑ Hazou, Elias (26 November 2015). "House passes historic civil partnerships bill". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  17. ↑ "Civil unions become law". Cyprus Weekly. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΝΟΜΟΘΕΣΙΑ - ΜΕΡΟΣ Ι Αριθμός 4543 Τετάρτη ,9 Δεκεμβρίου 2015: Αριθμός 184(Ι) του 2015 ΝΟΜΟΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΝΟΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΑΨΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΒΙΩΣΗΣ" (PDF). Ministry of Finance of Cyprus. 9 December 2015. pp. 14–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  19. ↑ "Τέθηκε σε ισχύ η πολιτική συμβίωση στην Κύπρο". Antivirus. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  20. ↑ "Civil Unions Bill in effect". Cyprus Weekly. 22 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  21. ↑ Chrysostomou, Annette (20 January 2016). "First civil partnership to be signed, interest grows". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  22. ↑ "Cyprus' first public gay wedding takes aim at prejudices". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016.
  23. ↑ Polydorou, Ioanna (12 July 2012). "Cyprus: Civil Partnership".
  24. ↑ "Civil unions bringing change to Cyprus". Cyprus Weekly. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016.
  25. ↑ Choros, Evgenia (19 April 2016). "Eight Same-Sex Couples Enter Civil Partnership in Cyprus". Greek Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  26. ↑ "Gay Rights Groups Build Alliances to Counter Climate of Fear". Between the Lines. Associated Press. 27 October 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  27. ↑ (in Greek) Σύμφωνο συμβίωσης επιλέξαν 159 ετερόφυλα ζευγάρια και 26 ομόφυλα
  28. ↑ "Πέντε χρόνια Πολιτικής Συμβίωσης" (in Greek). 9 December 2020.
  29. ↑ "Cyprus's Constitution of 1960 with Amendments through 2013" (PDF). Constitute Project. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  30. ↑ Philippou, Eleni (15 September 2022). "Nine days of events to mark Pride 2022". Cyprus Mail.
  31. ↑ "Ποιοι υποψήφιοι θα πάνε στο Pride κι η θέση τους για γάμο και τεκνοθεσία". alphanews.live (in Greek). 24 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022.
  32. ↑ "Andreas Mavroyiannis: Redesign of education policy at fore of hopeful"s vision". Cyprus Mail. 1 February 2023.
  33. ↑ Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage Angus Reid Global Monitor
  34. ↑ Special Eurobarometer 437 Archived 17 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ↑ Storm of protest over Archbishop"s anti-gay comments
  36. ↑ "Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU". TNS. European Commission. p. 2. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  37. ↑ "Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union". europa.eu. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
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