Ukraine just held its first Pride event in years despite Russia’s continued invasion
News
On Sunday, LGBTQ+ Ukrainian military servicemembers organised their first Pride event in Kyiv, Ukraine after a three-year hiatus.
The organisers detailed the challenges they faced in arranging the event, including opposition from elements such as war, anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators, and inclement weather. KyivPride explained their cautious approach this year by limiting the publicity around the event for security purposes, a strategy they had previously implemented in 2015. Despite a nearby demonstration against the March, KyivPride managed to proceed without any confrontations.
In contrast to the 2015 Pride parade, which was marred by clashes with anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators resulting in injuries to marchers and police officers, this year’s KyivPride event saw a turnout of over 500 people. The attendees were informed about the event at the last minute through informal channels to prevent potential conflicts with counter-protestors. During the march, a show of gratitude was extended to the military for upholding their rights and safeguarding their existence in Ukraine, according to ‘LGBTQ Nation’.
Image Credit: Canva
The actual march was constrained by police intervention, allowing participants to cover only about 100 meters for a duration of around 30 minutes before dispersing. Attendees voiced slogans like “Russia is a terrorist state” and “Make Russia pay.”
Despite concerns raised by the police regarding security risks, the organisers of KyivPride believed that the event unfolded safely under the watchful eyes of law enforcement. Anna Sharygina, the head of KyivPride, stressed the importance of human rights in ensuring equal opportunities for everyone and addressed the compromises made to ensure safety during the event.
The organisers also advocated for the passage of two proposed laws in Ukraine supporting LGBTQ+ rights: Draft Law No. 5488 to protect against discrimination and Draft Law 9301 to legalise same-sex civil partnerships.
An earlier proposed march scheduled to take place in the subway system was rejected by authorities in Kyiv. Kyiv Pride initiated a fundraising effort earlier in the month to garner support from international allies for future Pride events and to bolster the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the face of challenges posed by the Russian invasion.
In closing, KyivPride expressed gratitude to the military, participants, supporters, media, businesses, and Kyiv authorities for their backing and contributions to the event.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Liverpool To Host Pride March On Behalf Of Ukraine
Ukraine Passes LGBTQ+-Inclusive Media Regulation Bill
Ukraine War Bolsters Support For Same-Sex Marriage
Ukraine President Asks Government To Consider Same-Sex Marriages
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
