Greek American Oscar winning actress Olympia Dukakis has spoken in support of equality, saying it is “offensive and repugnant” to even ask whether LGBT people should have equal rights.

Dukakis was responding to a question about whether or not she supported the first ever gay pride parade in Cyprus, which is set to take place on 31 May.

The 83-year-old said: “Even asking the question, ‘should they have the right’ is offensive. Even asking the question, even thinking that another human being has to ask for that, bothers me. We have a short period of time here and to be deprived of anything – out of what people consider religious principles – is repugnant.”

“Just keep going forward. Keep asserting who you are, what you want. Look at the changes. Who would have expected what’s happening now where things are now. Stay the course,” she continued.

The festival, which is set to take place over fifteen days, will take place in Cyprus capital of Nicosia.

Constantinos Yiorkadjis, mayor of Nicosia, will also take part in the event

The event will be marked with a film festival, an art exhibition, and an anti-homophobia campaign in schools.

Olympia Dukakis, was born in Massachusetts to Greek parents. In 1988 she won an Oscar as best supporting actress in Moonstruck.