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Costas Gavrielides, a tireless advocate for human rights and equality in Cyprus, passed away yesterday, leaving a deep mark on the island’s social and cultural landscape.
Gavrielides was best known as the co-founder and first president of Accept – LGBTI Cyprus, the country’s first official LGBTI organization. During his leadership from 2012 to 2017, he helped organize the island’s first Pride festival in 2014, drawing thousands of participants and putting LGBTI issues in the national spotlight. He also championed landmark legislation in 2015, including civil cohabitation rights and protections against homophobic and transphobic violence.
Beyond the LGBTI community, Gavrielides served as Advisor to the President on Promoting Multiculturalism, Acceptance, and Respect for Diversity from 2018 onward. He also contributed to international efforts, sitting on the board of ILGA-Europe, a network of over 600 LGBTI organizations across Europe and Central Asia, and worked to bring Greek and Turkish Cypriots together on humanitarian issues.
Educated at the English School of Nicosia, Gavrielides earned degrees in business administration and information technology and a master’s in e-commerce from the University of Westminster in London. After working in the private sector in London, he returned to Cyprus in 2009 to continue his advocacy work at home.
Leaders across the political spectrum expressed their condolences. Nikolas Papadopoulos, head of DIKO, praised Gavrielides for his courage and dedication: “Whether someone agreed or disagreed with his politics, Costas stood by his beliefs and fought for them like few others.”
Gavrielides’ passing is a significant loss for Cyprus, but his legacy, pushing for equality, acceptance, and respect, remains woven into the island’s ongoing journey toward a more inclusive society.
