A Time for Recognition, Visibility, and the Fight for Equality
June is globally recognized as Pride Month – a time when the LGBTQI+ community stands up for its dignity, rights, and the need for equality. In Ukraine, this period is traditionally marked by the Equality March – a peaceful demonstration that has become a symbol of the fight for equal rights and opposition to discrimination. The March is not only a symbolic event but a civic and political act. In the context of war, Ukrainian society is increasingly vocal about true European values, particularly human rights. The visibility of LGBTQI+ people in the Armed Forces, volunteer initiatives, and activism has become undeniable: they defend the country as equals, yet still lack equal legal status.
One of the key demands of the March is the adoption of draft laws No. 5488 and No. 9103. Draft law 5488 proposes amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine to officially recognize intolerance based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) as an aggravating circumstance in the commission of a crime. Currently, Ukrainian legislation does not offer such protection, which effectively means impunity for crimes committed against LGBTQI+ individuals due to their identity. Human rights organizations report dozens of cases each year of attacks, humiliation, and threats, including those targeting LGBTQI+ military personnel. In 2024, according to rights defenders, over 70% of such incidents never reach court or are not properly classified. Draft law 5488 has the potential to change this – to provide a clear legal mechanism for accountability and prevent hate crimes.
Draft law 9103, in turn, aims to regulate the issue of registered partnerships for same-sex and different-sex couples. Its adoption would ensure legal recognition of partners, including inheritance rights, access to medical information, and other key legal protections. For LGBTQI+ Ukrainians, this would mean the opportunity to legalize their relationships and protect their partners in the event of injury or death – an especially urgent issue during wartime. Passing draft law 9103 would be a tangible step toward equality, dignity, and safety for thousands of citizens who have lived for years in the shadow of legal uncertainty.
Critics of the LGBTQI+ community often accuse Pride of “propaganda” or demanding “special rights.” In reality, it is about something fundamental – equality before the law, respectful treatment, and the right to live in safety. The right not to be beaten, fired from a job, or denied medical care because of one’s orientation or identity is not a privilege – it is a basic human need.
That is why Pride Month and the Equality March are not celebrations, but forms of community and civic activism. They are opportunities to assert visibility, demand legislative change, and unite society around the idea of true equality.
In 2025, Pride in Ukraine carries a clear message: human rights are not a post-war luxury – they are the foundation of victory. The adoption of draft laws No. 9103 and No. 5488 is not only about fulfilling European integration commitments, but also a real opportunity for the country to show that dignity and freedom are not empty words. While LGBTQI+ Ukrainians risk their lives on the frontlines, the state must ensure they have equal rights at home.