Russian invasion hastens push for LGBTQ rights in Ukraine, but will it last?

Name: Moscow drag queens defiant as Russia moves to expand anti-gay legislation
Uploaded: 2022-12-01T18:00:13.000Z
Duration: 2 min 23 s
Description: Moscow drag queens defiant as Russia moves to expand anti-gay legislation

Activists and rights groups say Russia’s invasion has bolstered support in Ukraine for LGBTQ people, but question how long changes in attitudes will last

Experts say progress is not guaranteed as backing LGBTQ causes remains politically risky for lawmakers

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Activists hope a petition for same-sex marriage and a push to join the European Union will bring fresh scrutiny on LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine. Photo: AFP

Thomson Reuters Foundation

Published: 2:00am, 2 Dec 2022Updated: 3:11am, 2 Dec 2022

When Kira learned that her partner Elvira Shchemur had died in a missile strike on Ukraine, the loss hit her doubly hard.

Even as she mourned, Kira knew that as a same-sex partner she had no rights to collect Shchemur’s body.

“Officially, I am no one to her,” said Kira, who asked to be identified by a pseudonym.

Activists and rights researchers say Russia’s invasion has bolstered support in Ukraine for LGBTQ people, many of whom have proudly worn a unicorn insignia to signal their identity while fighting in the military.

Others question how far the push will go in bringing rights such as same-sex marriage – and whether the change of attitudes will last.

02:23

Moscow drag queens defiant as Russia moves to expand anti-gay legislation

“Often societies make changes during war that are not followed through on after the wartime period ends,” said Julia Schiwal, an expert on inclusive societies at the US Institute of Peace.