Movements for gender and sexuality based rights often seek to challenge traditional normative behavior including heteronormativity, concrete gender roles, or binary constructions within the framework of gender and sexuality. However, these movements often show manifestations of the very behavior they are trying to combat, perhaps even more so in highly nationalistic and patriarchal post-conflict societies, such as Cyprus. In understanding the configuration and effectiveness of said movements for gender and sexuality based rights, it is essential for a political and critical analysis of the relationship between these movements and nationalism. Using both political and queer theory, in this article, we will examine: 1. the way individuals and organizations within these movements and communities interact with the nation state border, and examine how this relates to individuals challenging normative behaviors within themselves; 2. how this relates to the body politics of queer identity and the disruption of normalized identity; and 3. the role and manifestation of internalized homophobia, masculinities, femininities, and nationalisms within the individuals part of these communities.
