Despite protests, Pride Parade kicks off in Kiev with 6,000 participants

On Sunday, Kiev, Ukraine hosted its annual Pride Parade with a record number of participants. 6,000 people marched in support of LGBT+ rights despite several protests against the event. C14, a nationalist group, tried to block the streets prior to the event with about 150 men. 56 of them were arrested when violence broke out between them and the police.

5,000 police officers turned up to guard the event, 2,500 of them forming a human chain around the LGBT+ marchers to protect them. The space had metal protectors around all the entrances.

Activist Ulyana Movchan said of the event: “Despite the threats, I felt happy. For once, LGBT-people felt themselves safe in the streets of [Kiev]. It is encouraging to see that the Pride is growing every year.”

Svitlana Zalishuck, a Ukrainian member of the European Parliament, praised the parade as vitally important for their country: “This is the third year in a row that the Pride is able to happen peacefully. LGBT+ rights are not just important for the LGBT+ community, but for the whole country. Countries with more equality for the LGBT+ community also have higher levels of GDP.”

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

Sign up to mygwork

________

LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs