US Ambassador Attends Cyprus Pride

That's US Ambassador John Koenig in the blue t-shirt. More from Gay Star News:

Several hundred people marched in the east Mediterranean island nation's 2nd annual Gay Pride parade in downtown Nicosia on Saturday. Unlike last year where scuffles broke out a small group of Orthodox Christian protesters tried to disrupt the parade, the parade went on without a hitch this time. Parade organizer and ACCEPT-LGBT Cyprus President Costas Gavrielides says although the turnout was roughly the same as the inaugural parade, societal taboos about homosexuality is fading away. He added that he's pleased the Cypriot government has approved a long-awaited civil partnership bill. Before the march, various representatives of the government, political parties, and other social organizations addressed participants and onlookers, the Cyprus Mail reported. Interior minister Sokratis Hasikos, who is known for his pioneering stance on promoting and getting legislation on civil partnerships approved by the cabinet, was met with applause.

CYPRUS: Civil Unions Bill Advances

Gay Star News reports:

The Cypriot Cabinet Wednesday approved a long-awaited civil partnership bill that would allow gay couples to register their relationships and grant them all marriage rights except joint adoption. The legislation will now be sent to parliament, where it will be discussed and put to a vote. Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos, who helped prepare the bill, said Cyprus was ready for same-sex unions. 'I am certain that society is mature enough to accept it. Besides, this is what people are asking for through various groups and organisations, political parties, and society at large,' he said. ILGA-Europe said they expected that Cypriot parliamentarians would proceed with the bill without delay and support it.

RELATED: Cyprus is part of the European Union, which currently has 28 members. Same-sex marriage is legal in eleven of them: Belgium, Denmark, Finland (effective 2017), France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia (effective date pending), Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland). Civil unions are legal in nine EU nations: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia (effective 2016), Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Malta. No partnership recognitions exist in eight EU nations: Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Olympia Dukakis For Cyprus Pride

From the Greek Reporter:

Oscar-winning Greek American actress Olympia Dukakis has expressed her support for Cyprus’ first gay pride parade. The actress urged Cyprus’ LGBT community to "keep going forward, stay the course." The first gay pride parade of Cyprus, will be held on May 31 in Nicosia. Local authorities and foreign diplomatic missions have already stated that they will support the event. However, the Church of Cyprus has condemned the gay pride describing homosexuality as a degradation and a sickness. Apart from Dukakis, many other Hollywood stars and celebrities, such as the actress Whoopi Goldberg and British national treasure Stephen Fry, have expressed their support.

Watch Ms. Dukakis go off.