If the president of the country Nicos Anastasiades signs the law, the same-sex couples in Cyprus will get the opportunity to be legally recognized for the first time.
The Parliament of Cyprus on 26th of November voted in favour of the Civil Partnership Bill for all couples. It was an important step that all LGBTI people in Cyprus were waiting for ages. Now all gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and intersex got a right for equality in choosing a partner for marriage.
The vast majority of the members of the parliament (39) voted in favour of the bill, 12 members voted against and three members abstained.
However, the law has one drawback: it doesn’t give the same-sex couples the right for children adoption.
The European LGBT Association ILGA-Europe has already given its comments: “We are very pleased that, finally, the bill was approved. We welcome all groups of civil society, political leaders and allies involved in this long campaign for their perseverance and dedication to equality.”
The Executive Director of ILGA-Europe Evelyne Paradis claimed:
“Same-sex couples and their families are just as deserving of protection as their heterosexual friends and neighbours. This is not about giving one group ‘special rights’ but about recognising the wonderful diversity of families that live in Europe.”
Eliza Goroya, the Greece and Cyprus Campaigner at Amnesty International also admitted that:
“LGBTI activists in Cyprus have fought for years for this first step in the legal recognition of their intimate relationships. This a positive but long-overdue, and there is still a lot of work ahead before everybody can enjoy full marriage equality under the law. “
