Safeguarding LGBTIQ+ People’s Right to Health

The project’s aim is to prevent and address instances of health discrimination and stigma against LGBTIQ+ individuals, while promoting equitable healthcare practices in Cyprus that prioritize the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

main objectives of the project

O1: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and needs

of approximately 100 health professionals (including medical and nursing students) in regard to the provision of healthcare services and information to LGBTIQ+ people through interviews and questionnaires. The needs of LGBTIQ+ people in regard to their access to healthcare services and information will be assessed through 20 interviews and 100 questionnaires. 

O2: To improve the knowledge, attitudes and skills

of approximately 100 healthcare professionals and 75 medical & nursing students in regard to the needs of LGBTIQ+ people in the healthcare system, through capacity building training and training material and guidelines. 

O3: To raise the awareness of relevant stakeholders,

target groups and the general public by reaching 500.000 people through targeted social media and media campaigns as well as dissemination activities and events.

target groups

health professionals

medical/nursing students

LGBTIQ+ individuals and groups

local authorities and policymakers

professionals from NGOs and CSOs

general public

expected outcomes

Short-term effects

  • Conduct research with approximately 120 health professionals (including medical and nursing students) to map and assess the knowledge, attitudes and needs of a) healthcare professionals in providing LGBTIQ+ affirming and inclusive care/practice and b) collect the experiences and needs of 120 LGBTIQ+ people in regard to their access to healthcare and equal treatment, in order to draft a national report with suggestions to relevant stakeholders on how to promote LGBTIQ+ health equality. 
  • Engage approximately 100 healthcare professionals and 75 medical & nursing students in accredited and interactive training, to improve their knowledge, attitudes and skills in relation to the needs of LGBTIQ+ people. Also to improve access for LGBTQI+ people in healthcare and quality of it. 
  • 500.000 people will be informed through the project’s social media and media campaigns as well as dissemination activities and events on the barriers and discrimination LGBTIQ+ people face in health in Cyprus.
  • Reduce stereotypes, stigma, taboo and the discrimination and inequality that LGBTIQ+ people face in health, through the outreach of the media campaign which will be available after the end of the project and the training package which can be used for additional future trainings 
  • Adoption of better practices in supporting and providing healthcare to LGBTIQ+ people in Cyprus through the use of the training package and guidelines  
  • Increase understanding and awareness of the discrimination LGBTIQ+ people face in the healthcare sector. 

Long-term effects

  • Enforce and improve legal protection against discrimination of LGBTIQ+ people in health, through the possible use of the state of the art report by policy makers and NGOs. 
  • Encourage policy changes for the creation of protocols and action plans for healthcare professionals by the national healthcare system on gender-affirming and equal care and advancing non-discrimination mainstreaming,  
  • Trigger change by enhancing LGBTIQ+ equality in health in Cyprus and in Europe.