Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia enjoy most of the same rights as non-

LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is a ...

people. Due to

Akrotiri and Dhekelia Akrotiri and Dhekelia, officially the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (SBA),, ''Periochés Kyríarchon Váseon Akrotiríou ke Dekélias''; tr, Ağrotur ve Dikelya İngiliz Egemen Üs Bölgeleri is a British Overseas Territory o ...

being a sovereign military base, the status of LGBT rights in certain areas is ambiguous and unclear.

Same-sex marriage Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same Legal sex and gender, sex or gender. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 33 countries, with the most recent being ...

has been legal in the territory since June 2014, under the ''Overseas Marriage (Armed Forces) Order 2014'', but only to British military personnel. In most cases, the laws of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

do not apply to the c. 7,700

Cypriot Cypriot (in older sources often "Cypriote") refers to someone or something of, from, or related to the country of Cyprus. * Cypriot people, or of Cypriot descent; this includes: **Armenian Cypriots **Greek Cypriots **Maronite Cypriots **Turkish C ...

civilians. Akrotiri and Dhekelia issues birth and death certificates to civilian residents for instance, but only issues marriage certificates to military personnel and their dependents.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity was legalised in Akrotiri and Dhekelia in 2000, under the ''Criminal Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2000''. In 2003, the age of consent was equalised for same-sex sexual activities.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Same-sex marriage in Akrotiri and Dhekelia has been legal since 3 June 2014. An ordinance to legalise such

marriages Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

was approved by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council on 28 April 2014 and came into effect on 3 June. However, for a same-sex couple to marry in the

territory A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal. In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...

, at least one partner has to serve in the

British Armed Forces The British Armed Forces, also known as His Majesty's Armed Forces, are the military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, s ...

and their marriage application has to be approved by the base commander. The first same-sex couple to marry in the territory was Sergeant Alastair Smith and Aaron Weston, who married on the British military base on

Dhekelia Dhekelia Cantonment ( el, Φρουρά Δεκέλεια, tr, Dikelya Cantonment) is a military base in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus, administered as the Sovereign Base Areas. It is located in the ...

on 10 September 2016.

Civil partnerships A civil union (also known as a civil partnership) is a legally recognized arrangement similar to marriage, created primarily as a means to provide recognition in law for same-sex couples. Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage ...

have also been legal for same-sex couples, if at least one partner is serving in the British Armed Forces, since 7 December 2005. Civilian same-sex couples living in the territory are unable to marry, as they are governed under the laws of

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...

which does not recognise same-sex marriage. In 1960, when the Republic of Cyprus became independent, the

declared that the laws applicable to the civilian population would be as far as possible the same as the laws of Cyprus. In December 2015, civil unions were legalised in Cyprus for both different-sex and same-sex couples.

Discrimination protections

The territory has prohibited discrimination based on

sexual orientation Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender. These attractions are generall ...

employment Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating the provision of paid labour services. Usually based on a contract, one party, the employer, which might be a corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a co-operative, or any othe ...

since 1 March 2013. Since 1 February 2016, the local Criminal Code has criminalised incitement to violence or hatred on the ground of sexual orientation.Criminal Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2016
/ref> Punishment ranges from 3 years imprisonment to a fine of 5,000 pounds.

Summary table

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lgbt Rights In Akrotiri And Dhekelia Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Discrimination protections

Summary table

See also

References