Lefkosia is governed by federal Cyprus law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Civil unions (marriage rights)
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in Lefkosia is legal.
Current status
Since May 21, 1998
Legal
Homosexuality legalised following the European Court of Human Rights case of Modinos v. Cyprus.
Male illegal, female legal
with the incorporation of the British Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 into Cyprus law. For the first time since 1858, this made male homosexuality a criminal act in Cyprus. Female homosexuality was not recognised or mentioned in the law.
With independence from Britain in 1960, Cyprus retained British colonial law on the island almost in its entirety, with the relevant parts of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 becoming articles 171 to 174 of Chapter 154 of the Cypriot Criminal Code
With independence from Britain in 1960, Cyprus retained British colonial law on the island almost in its entirety, with the relevant parts of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 becoming articles 171 to 174 of Chapter 154 of the Cypriot Criminal Code
Censorship of LGBT issues in Lefkosia is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Cyprus, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Lefkosia is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since Nov 23, 2022
Legal, no restrictions
Since November 23 2022, trans people in Cyprus can update their legal gender simply by applying online. While they can submit medical documentation if they think that would support their demand, there is no obligation to do so. A person must be at least 18 years old to request this change.
Until Nov 23, 2022
Illegal
In November 2017, President Nicos Anastasiades met advocacy group Accept-LGBT Cyprus to discuss issues concerning transgender rights. A bill to allow transgender people to change their legal sex has been drafted, with the support of the President and the Justice Minister. On 10 June 2019, following months of stalling and delay, four parents of transgender children spoke in favor of the bill and urged for its "speedy adoption". The legislation would allow transgender people over 18 to right to change their legal gender on the basis of self-determination, without a diagnosis, hormonal treatment or sex reassignment surgery. Currently, a bill is in the works for gender change to be legal with the requirement that the applicant is unmarried.
Gender-affirming care in Lefkosia is legal.
Current status
Since 1999
Legal
In 1999, Cyprus adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
Until 1999
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Lefkosia is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
According to the ILGA Europe, there's no recognition of non-binary gender in Cyprus.
LGBT discrimination in Lefkosia is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Oct 10, 2013
Illegal in some contexts
Until 2013 discrimination was only illegal in the workplace. In 2013, the Cypriot Penal Code has been amended to make violence against LGBT people an aggravating factor in sentencing. Article 99 of the code, entitled "Incitment to violence or hatred due to sexual orientation or gender identity", provides for imprisonment not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding 5,000 euros for any person who "intentionally, publicly or in manner which is threatening or insulting or offensive in nature, urges or incites, orally or in writing, violence or hatred against a group, person, or a member of a group of persons on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity".
Until Oct 10, 2013
Illegal
Discrimination is illegal in Cyprus.
LGBT employment discrimination in Lefkosia is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2014
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Sexual orientation only in Northern Cyprus.
LGBT housing discrimination in Lefkosia is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Discrimination in all cases are illegal
Same-sex adoption in Lefkosia is single only.
Current status
Single only
Unmarried individuals can request to adopt. There's no provisions for same-sex couples wishing to adopt, however.
Intersex infant surgery in Lefkosia is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
There is no official ban on unnecessary sex reassignment operations in infants in Cyprus.
Serving openly in military in Lefkosia is legal.
Current status
Since May 1, 2004
Legal
LGBT people are allowed to serve openly under new rules brought into place when Cyprus joined the European Union
Until Apr 30, 2004
Illegal
Illegal due to the Ministry of Defence viewing homosexuality as mental illness.
Blood donations by MSMs in Lefkosia is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 20, 2022
Legal
There is no criteria specifically preventing MSMs from donating blood in Cyprus as of April 2022.
Banned (6-month deferral)
MSMs face a 6-month deferral in order to donate blood.
Until 2022
Banned (1-year deferral)
MSMs face a 1-year deferral in order to donate blood.
Conversion therapy in Lefkosia is banned.
Current status
Since May 25, 2023
Banned
The practice, and advertisement, of conversion therapy was banned after 36 members of parliament (out of 50 total) voted to pass the new bill into law.
Legal Rights
80 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Lefkosia to help improve its accuracy.
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Lefkosia LGBT Organizations
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