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.

Parliament has yet to approve the bill.

‘I am here in my official capacity as Interior minister, but also as a representative of the government,’ he said.

‘I personally, as well as the executive branch of government, have listened closely and fully understood the issue you have repeatedly raised with successive Cypriot governments, and responded positively,’ he said to loud cheering.

Other speakers include Ombudswoman Eliza Savvidou, Childrens’ Rights Commissioner Leda Koursoumba, Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis and head of the European Parliament’s Cyprus office Alexandra Attalides.

The Mail reports that as with last year’s inaugural march, the 2nd Gay Pride parade was held under the auspices of the Nicosia Municipality.

The vice-president of the Movement for a Federal Cyprus, Yiorgos Pittas is noted to have delivered the fiercest speech at the rally saying, ‘We are here to help pry open the windows and doors of Cyprus so that everyone can be free to choose their sexual identity. Be yourself! It’s the only way to be!’

‘It won’t be easy. We see that the carriers of darkness, the eunuchs of thought, react, shout obscenities, and curse. But that’s OK. It’s their problem. We are here to tell them that in the society we dream of, there is a place for them, too.’