Diplomatic missions to Cyprus have launched the ‘Diplomats for Equality’ Cyprus branch – a global initiative for the support of LGBTQI+ rights – on Thursday, at the ‘IDAHOT+ Forum 2022’ in Limassol.
According to a press release by the British High Commission, the diplomatic missions of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, as well as the European Commission’s Representation in Cyprus, formed the Cyprus branch of the global ‘Diplomats for Equality’ initiative with the support of the Cyprus government.
The group said they were open to new members at any time.
To mark their official launch, and as a first joint initiative of the group, they said they “stand united in support of, and appreciation of Cyprus’s role in hosting this year’s major International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Intersexphobia ‘IDAHOT+ Forum 2022’ event in Limassol.”
‘Diplomats for Equality’ congratulate the Republic of Cyprus on this initiative and particularly acknowledge the efforts of Justice Minister, Stephie Dracos, and the President of Cyprus’s Adviser on issues relating to Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity, Costas Gavrielides.
They said they look forward to participating in the ‘IDAHOT+ Forum 2022’, welcome the participation and presence of those visiting Ministers and high-level officials from some of their capitals, and wish the Republic of Cyprus every success.
Diplomats for Equality is an LGBTQI+ rights initiative launched by a group of diplomatic missions in Vienna in 2018. Since then, groups of ‘Diplomats for Equality’ have been established across the world, providing umbrella organisations through which diplomatic missions can work with host governments, civil society, business and other local partners to offer coordinated support to LGBTQI+ issues, communities, and events around the world.
For more information: Twitter @dipforequality, Instagram #diplomatsforequality and through the group members’ Embassies’ and High Commissions’ accounts in Cyprus.
