First Pride march in Ukraine since beginning of Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv

KYIV, UKRAINE, June 16 — A march for human rights, KyivPride 2024, took place in Ukraine’s capital city center. The rally happened for the first time since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and was attended by about 500 people. The place and time were announced a few hours before the event.

The activists were allowed to walk about 50 meters next to the Teatralna metro station on Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street from the Museum of Kyiv History to the building of the Lesya Ukrainka Academic Theater.

“Ukrainian society is quite tolerant of the LGBT community. That is not to say that we have reached the end of the way, but at the level of Kyiv and at the level of responsible citizens, we may have some other actions now, but this is what should happen in a democratic country. Different opinions are expressed in a civilized way. The second thing that we saw today was 500 people who registered, who passed the check, who passed through several other barriers in order to speak out about their rights in such difficult conditions,” says Anna Sharygina, co-founder of the NGO KyivPride.

According to her, representatives of the LGBTQ+ community face discrimination in places of service, which is an additional risk to their lives. She drew attention to the draft law on civil partnerships, which was not considered by the parliament. Sharygina announced a Pride event in Kharkiv in September 2024.

“We cannot support our loved ones if something happens to them in the war. Therefore, it is very necessary, as well as the support of the international community for Ukraine’s struggle against Russia,” tells war veteran Dmytro, who participated in KyivPride.

The event was attended by representatives of at least six foreign embassies, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland.

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

First Pride march in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion takes place in Kyiv / Photo: Denys Glushko, Gwara Media

UPD from June 17, 10:28 a.m.: “Gay pride” in headline and captions under photos changed to “Pride march.“

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