Why the LGBTQI community in Ukraine continues to need our support

One year on since Russia’s full-scale invasion, LGBTQI people in Ukraine continue to need the support of our global community and allies, writes Rupert Abbott, the Executive Director of GiveOut.

On 24 February 2022, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine shocked the world. Already vulnerable, the LGBTQI community was under threat both from the conflict and the potential aftermath, through Russia's persecution of LGBTQI people in occupied areas. 

In response, GiveOut partnered with Outright International to call on the global LGBTQI community and our allies to support LGBTQI people in Ukraine and those forced to flee – the response was incredible. But a year on - with no end to the conflict in sight - we need to do more to continue supporting those who need help most, and build towards a brighter future in Ukraine.

How the War Has Impacted LGBTQI Rights in Ukraine

Before the war, the situation for LGBTQI people in Ukraine was not easy but had been improving. Despite homophobic attitudes persisting in many parts of the country, the 2021 March for Equality, organised by KyivPride, saw one of its largest turnouts ever. Over 7,000 people took part, with Ukraine’s young and vibrant LGBTQI community and allies, including soldiers and diplomats, marching peacefully while being flanked by police for protection. 

The Ukrainian authorities had also been increasing their support for LGBTQI rights, including introducing legislation in 2015 to ban discrimination in the workplace, and removing barriers for trans people to change their legal gender - our community had reason to be optimistic.

But when the conflict escalated, it was clear that LGBTQI people were at risk of being left behind in the mainstream humanitarian response. In times of war and other crises, LGBTQI people face higher risks, yet are often excluded from humanitarian relief efforts. At best this is due to a lack of cultural competency, and, at worst, due to discrimination. 

Amie Bishop from Outright International told us:

"LGBTQI people are more likely to face heightened risk, not just because of pre-existing marginalisation or stigma within the country, but because the humanitarian sector doesn't have a great track record in reaching out to LGBTQI communities and tailoring their responses to those needs. Humanitarian actors [need to] understand how the marginalisation of LGBTQI people leads to them being left behind in times of crisis."

The situation in Ukraine highlighted some unique challenges faced by the LGBTQI community in times of conflict. Some LGBTQI people, particularly older members of the community, were socially isolated from their families and community, unable to access support. Others found that their medical needs were not thought through by mainstream humanitarian actors – many were unable to receive HIV medication, and trans people struggled to access hormone treatment. And those in occupied territories faced not only the horrors of the conflict, but also were at higher risk due to Russia’s persecution of LGBTQI people. 

Even those LGBTQI people seeking to escape the conflict faced specific problems. The government of Ukraine forbade men aged 18-60 from fleeing, posing additional problems for trans and gender diverse Ukrainians whose gender expression does not match their official documentation. Those who could cross the border faced further challenges, with many refugee-hosting countries discriminating against LGBTQI people and not recognising same-sex relationships. 

Our Community Came Together in Solidarity

When the war in Ukraine erupted, local LGBTQI organisations became humanitarian relief centres overnight, providing shelter, food, medicine, as well as relocation and evacuation assistance for displaced members of the LGBTQI community, who were unable to find a safe space and support through mainstream humanitarian avenues. 

In response to the crisis, GiveOut activated our LGBTQI Emergency Fund to support an appeal led by Outright International. The global LGBTQI community opened their hearts, their homes, and their wallets to support those displaced and severely impacted by the war, and together we raised over $1.6m for 39 LGBTQI organisations in Ukraine and surrounding countries.  

“I was amazed at how many people reached out to us to help, from hugs to their homes” Lenny from KyivPride told GiveOut when speaking of the support received. “It was heart to heart, community to community.” 

We have heard heart-breaking stories of those in dire need, supported by these organisations. We have also heard courageous stories of LGBTQI people going out of their way to support those who need it most. KyivPride, Insight, Gay Rights Alliance and many more are going the extra mile to provide support to and through the LGBTQI community.

Anna from Gay Alliance Ukraine, a partner supported through the appeal, said:

“Starting in March, we were receiving requests from mostly senior LGBTQI people and those with disabilities saying that they couldn’t get to the shops to buy food. We got a letter from one senior LGBTQI person requesting support for food as he couldn’t even leave the house to go buy bread, saying I have no relatives, I am alone and I feel socially isolated.”

Since the full-scale invasion, Russia’s attacks have been unrelenting and, for some, the situation is now even more severe. Sustained attacks on civilian infrastructure have left up to 40 per cent of the country without access to water, power, and heating, during freezing winter temperatures. 

Many LGBTQI people who remain in Ukraine have lost their homes and their livelihoods and will require sustained assistance to get back on their feet. LGBTQI activists turned humanitarians are exhausted and speak of a collective feeling of “never being able to do enough”.

Olena from Insight, one of the LGBTQI organisations supported through our emergency appeal, said:

“People are asking for something which will allow them to not freeze during the winter because of the lack of electricity… It’s even worse in those regions of eastern Ukraine because people don’t have any walls due to shelling. So they need everything, lamps, gas canisters, something to cook the food, and just basic batteries, candles, and also flashlights.” 

LGBTQI organisations in Ukraine are relying on us to continue to provide support to help them carry out their essential and life-saving work.

Help LGBTQI Ukrainians Through GiveOut’s Appeal

We are asking our global community and allies to once again come together to provide support to LGBTQI people in Ukraine in the face of Putin’s ongoing aggression. This support will not only enable LGBTQI organisations to continue to support some of the most vulnerable people affected by the war, but will also enable them to work towards a brighter future in a post-conflict Ukraine.

Anton Levdyk, Outright’s Program Officer for Ukraine told us: "I would say that our ultimate goal is to achieve equality and respect for human rights, for LGBTQI people in Ukraine, including the right to marry and to live without fear of discrimination or violence. The war will be over, but rebuilding the country and returning to everyday life will take years. That life will never be the same again, unfortunately. But people need a chance for a new life"

Rupert Abbott is the Executive Director of GiveOut, an award-winning charity that enables the LGBTQI community and allies to support LGBTQI rights activism worldwide. You can learn more about their Ukraine appeal here.