In case you were planning on vacationing in northern Cyprus this year, you can now do so without fear of being arrested for having gay sex.
Reuters is reporting that as of Monday, northern Cyprus became the last territory in Europe to end the criminalization of gay sex between two adult men when their Parliament voted to abolish the code.
According to the office of European Parliament member and decriminalization advocate Marina Yannakoudakis, the outdated law was enforced as recently as February of 2012.
If you’re a bit confused as to the relationship between northern Cyprus, Europe, and Turkey is, have no fear because Reuters explains it all:
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The ban on homosexuality, defined as having “carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, was a remnant from the days when Cyprus was under British colonial rule. The island became independent in 1960 and in the subsequent acrimonious split of the Greek and Turkish sides 14 years later both kept it on their statute books.
Greek Cypriots decriminalized homosexuality amid pressure from the European Union in the 1990s. The only country to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is Turkey.
Though Yannakoudakis thrilled with the change in Europe, she’s now setting her sights elsewhere. “I haven’t stopped campaigning. There are still around 40 countries in the Commonwealth where homosexuality is illegal and some countries are moving backwards,” she said.
Northern Cyprus president Dervis Eroglu has 15 days to sign the bill into law.
We assume that consequence free gay sex will begin immediately after.
Daniel
I am glad that all of Europe has accepted gay sex and no longer sees it as an act of crime. It is a step forward for the LGBTQA+ Community.
Merv
I’m not sure how Europeans can continue to claim that Turkey is (mostly) in Asia but Cyprus is entirely in Europe. They’re either both European countries or both Asian countries. Actually, Turkey has a better claim to being a European country since the main part of its capital is unambiguously in Europe.
sangsue
Cyprus is separated into Cyprus and Turkish Cyprus. That part of Turkey (Mersin) is near Asia. But as long as Russia is super homophobic, no, not all of Europe has legalized gay sex.
CaptainFabulous
@sangsue: Not to defend Russia, but it’s not illegal to have gay sex there. It’s only illegal to engage in homosexual propaganda. Big difference. Of course the law is batshit crazy, just like Putin, but it doesn’t outlaw gay sex.
sangsue
@CaptainFabulous:
What is the difference?