As in every European election since 2014, Accept – LGBTI Cyprus conducted a survey on the positions of the candidates for the European Parliament on issues concerning the LGBTI community.
All candidates received a 10-question questionnaire, aiming to record their main positions and their intention to get involved in LGBTQI+ issues in the European Parliament. Candidates of parties that have officially taken a position against basic human rights of the LGBTQI+I community were not included in the survey.
In particular, 45 candidates from the parties AKEL, Volta Cyprus, DIKO, DIPA, DISY, EDEK, Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Co-operation, Party for Animals, as well as independent candidates, received the questionnaire. The candidates of the parties ELAM, Active Citizens-Movement of United Cyprus Hunters, National Action Movement and Victory were not included.
Of the 45 candidates, 23 candidates replied to the questionnaire, while the remaining 22 did not reply for various reasons. The candidates’ replies are listed in detail for each party in alphabetical order.
In addition, all candidates were invited to sign the “Come Out 4 Europe” pledge by the pan-European LGBTI organisation ILGA-Europe, with a total of 20 Cypriot candidates having signed it to date (https://www.comeout.eu). Over 1000 candidates from all over Europe have signed the pledge.
Questions Posed
- I support equal Civil Marriage for all persons, regardless of the legal gender of the spouses
- I support adoption by same-sex couples that takes into account the best interests of children
- I support the institutionalization of the existing procedures concerning the Legal Gender Identity Recognition of the Ministry of Interior by law in Cyprus.
- I support the acquisition of a child by a surrogate mother by all couples and single persons irrespective of the sex of the parents
- I support the need to change the way hate speech is criminalised for homophobic and transphobic offences in Cyprus.
- I support the creation of a National Action Plan for LGBTI people, also in Cyprus, in line with the European Commission’s European Strategy for LGBTI Rights 2020-2025 Ευρωπαϊκή Στρατηγική για ΛΟΑΤΚΙ δικαιώματα της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής 2020-2025..
- I support the cessation of unnecessary, invasive medical procedures on intersex children, in accordance with the Council of Europe guidelines.
- I support the promotion of actions to combat discrimination against LGBTI people in the workplace
- I commit myself to the Come Out Pledge 2024 of the European LGBTI rights organisation ILGA-Europe, as presented on https://comeout.eu/
- I commit to register with the informal Intergroup on LGBTI Rights of the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBTI Rights if elected.
Candidates Responses ΑΚΕΛ
Comments
AKEL positions – Clarifications in relation to AKEL’s positions and action on the above issues:
- In relation to procreation, we emphasise that the criterion is none other than the child’s best interests and his/her right to grow up with all the necessary socio-economic resources and psycho-emotional environment for the healthy development of his/her personality. The criterion, therefore, is who can provide these for a child, not his or her sexual orientation. AKEL supports the removal of discrimination in childbearing on the basis of sexual orientation. In other words, sexual orientation should not be a reason for exclusion for procreation, as long as the strict terms and conditions for the suitability of the parent are met.
- With regard to the legal recognition of gender identity, AKEL argues that Cyprus should acquire a legal framework that is in line with the guidelines of the ECHR case law. and so on), we will take a position when the relevant bill is submitted, given that the Christodoulides government withdrew the bill submitted by the Anastasiades government at the end of its term of office and after a delay of several years.
- In relation to homophobic/transphobic hate speech, we note that AKEL has submitted two law proposals to the Parliament to strengthen the legislation. The first proposal concerns the Penal Code and aims to increase the penalties for homophobic and transphobic incitement to violence and hatred, so that they correspond to the sentences for homophobic and transphobic incitement to violence and hatred.
Candidates Responses VOLT CYPRUS
Comments
Position Volt: *We demand equality in the law and the establishment of a strict framework that does not allow the commodification of women’s bodies.
CANDIDATES RESPONSE: ΔΗΚΟ
THE FOLLOWING DID NOT REPLY TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE: LION KOSTRIKIS, MARY LAMBROU, KOSTAS MAVRIDIS, CHRISIS PANTELIDIS, KATARINA CHRISTOFIDOU.
Comments
Eleni Theoharous: *** I have reservations about 2, 4, 7. I believe that Cypriot society is not ready at this stage, even for child adoption ( which seems to be the easiest solution at the moment), although even heterosexual couples are making a huge struggle to adopt a child.
It takes time and diversification of entrenched perceptions. Of course, having a ‘biological’ child without a surrogate mother (the exception being women of reproductive age and ability who wish to have a child by artificial insemination from a sperm donor, an expensive procedure of course) is impossible.
However, discrimination is being introduced between the rich and the poor and the issue of the exploitation of women and the instrumentalisation of the human womb is being raised. In other countries, same-sex couples have wonderful children. But they are usually robust economic couples and strictly observe the law on surrogacy. Single people, regardless of sexual orientation can have children by any method available and again without exploitation of women.
On point 7, as a doctor, especially a pediatric surgeon and pediatric urologist, I have many reservations.
In conclusion, when women’s and children’s rights are fully guaranteed, I will come back to you in full. .
Responses: ΔΗΠΑ
Comments:
Themis Anthopoulou:
1 For adoption: After consultation with all the competent bodies, with the best interests and psychology of each child as the primary consideration.
2 – For surrogate mothers: After consultation with all the competent bodies, taking into account the best interests and psychological well-being of each child
Marinos Kleanthous:
3 – For adoption & surrogate mothers: After consultation with all relevant bodies.
Pantelis Poiitis:
4 – For adoption: yes, provided the same conditions apply equally to heterosexual couples.
5 – For Legal Recognition Bill: Provided they are adults
Alekos Tryfonides:
6 – Since your questionnaire raises extremely serious issues that concern our society, I wish to examine them thoroughly at our meeting, for my fuller and more detailed information, before I give my answers.
RESPONSES: ΔΗΣΥ
THE FOLLOWING DID NOT REPLY TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE: CHRISTOS ANGELIDIS, KONSTANTINOS PETRIDIS, HELEN STAVROU, LUCAS FOURLAS, MICHAEL HADJIPANTELAS.
Comments
Christiana Xenophontos – My participation in the informal Intergroup on LGBTI Rights will be based on ongoing consultation/communication with Accept – LGBTI Cyprus, ILGA-Europe, and the European Centre-Right LGBT+ Alliance (EPP).
Responses: ΕΔΕΚ
THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS NOT ANSWERED BY ANY OF THE CANDIDATES OF THE EDEK. IN PARTICULAR, THE FOLLOWING DID NOT REPLY: NICOS ANASTASIOU, ANDREAS APOSTOLOU, PANTELITSA YOKKA, BIVIAN CANARI, ILIAS MYRIANTHOUS, NICOLAS FILIPPOU.
RESPONSES: GREEN PARTY
OZ KARAHAN, ALKIS PAPIS, STAIROS PAPADOURIS, BASO PELEGARIS AND PETROS CHRISTODOULOU DID NOT REPLY TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Comments
Maria Kolla
- A complete end to genital mutilation.
- Access to healthcare and inclusion of medication under the European Health Card
- Full implementation of freedom of movement without loss of rights for members of rainbow families
- Access to proper sex education.
RESPONSES: Κόμμα για τα Ζώα
RESPONSES OF INDEPENDENT CANDITATES
FIDIAS PANAGIOTOU DID NOT REPLY TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Comments
Andronikos Zervides – My wife Triona Andronike and I support LGBTQ tighta for many years now.