“LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of the national human rights strategy, with community leaders on the National Council on TB and HIV and regional councils. It is crucial they have a voice in public health decisions,” said Raman Hailevich, UNAIDS Country Director in Ukraine.
In June 2024, about 500 people participated in the first Kyiv Pride march since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. LGBTQI+ community members, including Ukrainian military personnel and veterans, activists, diplomats from various countries, and representatives of the international community, took to the streets of Kyiv under the slogan “It’s always time for human rights”. They called for the adoption of bills to combat intolerance and legalize same-sex partnerships.
Andrii Chernyshev of ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, one of the largest LGBTQI+ organizations in Ukraine, supported the Kyiv Pride activities, emphasizing that advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights should not cease during wartime.
From the outset of the war, Andrii’s organization had to shift its focus to addressing humanitarian issues and supporting community members, while continuing national advocacy for access to services and the protection of human rights, which have been increasingly challenged.
“The main need during war for all people, including LGBTQI+ people, is simply to survive. Many lost their homes and loved ones,” says Andrii.
As the war drags on, the number of internally displaced people, including many from the LGBTQI+ communities, has increased. Most need shelter, humanitarian aid and access to services, including HIV prevention and treatment—but they face rejection and cannot disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity due to fear of violence and discrimination.
ALLIANCE.GLOBAL oversees a network of five shelters across the country, providing services to people from the LGBTQI+ communities, with funding support from the UNAIDS Emergency Fund and other donors.
“Today there is a growing need for psychological and psychiatric assistance, help for displaced people to reintegrate into society, and community development at the local level. Now we are strengthening this activity,” says Andriy.
Together with the National LGBTI Consortium and other partners, ALLIANCE.GLOBAL continues to advocate for passing laws that better protect LGBTQI+ people from intolerance and hate crimes and for the legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, despite the challenges posed by the war.
Andrii believes that passing these laws will enhance access to public health services, including HIV-related services. LGBTQI+ people, fearing discrimination and violence, often avoid seeking help from and contact with health facilities or social protection institutions. Legal protections will hold officials and extremist groups accountable, reducing incidents of discrimination and violence.
“Over the past 20 years, Ukraine has made significant progress in ensuring the rights and security of LGBTQI+ people,” said Raman Hailevich, UNAIDS Country Director in Ukraine.
“LGBTQI+ rights are an integral part of the national human rights strategy, with community leaders on the National Council on TB and HIV and regional councils. It is crucial they have a voice in public health decisions.”
Raman pointed out societal changes as well, citing a nationwide survey revealing that over two thirds (72%) of adults in Ukraine believe LGBTQI+ people should have the same rights as others people: “This marks an unprecedented level of solidarity in support of LGBTQI+ people, never seen before in Ukraine.”