IT IS NO great secret that society in Cyprus is deeply homophobic and if there were any doubts, then the latest reports on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals would soon put those to rest.
Cyprus’ ranking for LGBT rights is the worst among the EU-27 and the latest surveys confirm how widespread homophobic sentiments and attitudes for the overwhelming majority of the population.
This makes even more impressive the action and results of Cyprus’ own LGBT rights group ACCEPT which has managed to do much since the first meeting as a small group of people in October 30, 2009.
“ACCEPT has evolved into an active organisation and our membership grows every day,” ACCEPT’s Yoryis Regginos said adding they now had about 500 members.
The group had been around for about four months when an event took place which shocked many and angered many more.
“A politician made a very offensive remark during a radio discussion on same-sex partnerships and there was an uproar. LGBT individuals felt so angry and frustrated about being personally insulted that they started mobilising, “ said Regginos.
Regginos says that ACCEPT brought together all these people and many other non-LGBT individuals who were outraged.
“Eventually, after a great, huge, lengthy delay the party of the politician in question came out to criticise his remarks and a few other parties then followed suit, but not everyone,” said Regginos.
He added that the level of political silence goes to show “the kind of political unwillingness that exists when it comes to protecting diversity and vulnerable groups of society.”
But the fact that some parties did feel the need to at least produce a public statement signalled change.
On May 2010, ACCEPT was invited to speak to a journalist running a popular and respected TV show. “People started to learn that we were here, and organised with a webpage to visit, and an agenda,” Regginos said.
But although their membership has been growing, ACCEPT has not exactly been welcomed by everyone. “We’ve received a visit from the police who came round to check the premises, a non-standard procedure,” Regginos said.
“Incredulous civil servants have called our members with questions such as, are you sure you put your name down for this? Is this really you?” Regginos told the Mail.
And there are still many who do not feel comfortable putting their name down and feel unable to come out.
“I’m in the closet about being out,” joked one 26-year-old architect. His immediate family know he is gay but do not want him to come out to society at large in an effort to protect themselves and their son from persecution. He told the Mail about how he was once chased by some men while taking a stroll with “a more flamboyant-friend” in Ayia Napa. He laughed telling this story. “It’s such a farcical situation. You can either laugh or cry,” he said.
A 24-year-old English teacher said she felt unable to come out to her family.
“I don’t look like a lesbian and this is probably why I haven’t been bullied,” she said.
“We live at a time where appearances matter.”
Asked to comment about the future of LGBT rights, Regginos was conflicted.
“On the one hand, reports and surveys are discouraging, our environment is deeply homophobic and LGBT are psychologically and physically abused. Some are raped.”
And on the other hand? “People from all walks of life have been supporting us and a lot of young people have started coming out to their families, empowering themselves,” said Regginos. “Things are getting better. We should have faith,” he mused.
