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Cyprus' First Public Gay Wedding Takes Aim at Prejudices
Source: Associated Press
Cyprus' First Public Gay Wedding Takes Aim at Prejudices
By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LARNACA, Cyprus — Mar 4, 2016, 1:51 PM ET
The newlyweds wanted to go all-out with their wedding celebrations. All the trappings of a traditional Cypriot wedding were on display; the huge line of well-wishers with cash-filled envelopes in hand, a band playing the latest Greek pop hits and the mandatory roasted pork.
Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades said they wanted it that way, a public declaration of their commitment to each other. Their hope is to offer other gay couples on the small east Mediterranean island nation the courage to be open about their love for each other.
Their union is the first public gay wedding in Cyprus, which has ranked low on an index of LGBT rights. It follows last month's first gay wedding but that was a low-key event involving an anonymous couple.
Late last year, lawmakers paved the way for the weddings by passing a civil union law that in effect recognizes gay marriage. It was a big step forward for gay rights in Cyprus, which only decriminalized homosexuality 18 years ago.
"We wanted to give courage to other couples and to all gay and transgender people to accept themselves and not to be ashamed of who they are," says Frixou. "We've gotten scores of messages from people telling us how much courage we've given them."
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By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LARNACA, Cyprus — Mar 4, 2016, 1:51 PM ET
The newlyweds wanted to go all-out with their wedding celebrations. All the trappings of a traditional Cypriot wedding were on display; the huge line of well-wishers with cash-filled envelopes in hand, a band playing the latest Greek pop hits and the mandatory roasted pork.
Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades said they wanted it that way, a public declaration of their commitment to each other. Their hope is to offer other gay couples on the small east Mediterranean island nation the courage to be open about their love for each other.
Their union is the first public gay wedding in Cyprus, which has ranked low on an index of LGBT rights. It follows last month's first gay wedding but that was a low-key event involving an anonymous couple.
Late last year, lawmakers paved the way for the weddings by passing a civil union law that in effect recognizes gay marriage. It was a big step forward for gay rights in Cyprus, which only decriminalized homosexuality 18 years ago.
"We wanted to give courage to other couples and to all gay and transgender people to accept themselves and not to be ashamed of who they are," says Frixou. "We've gotten scores of messages from people telling us how much courage we've given them."
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cyprus-public-gay-wedding-takes-aim-prejudices-37404033