LGBTQ+ Ukrainians stood strong at Kharkiv Pride, held just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, even as the war between the two nations continues.
On Sunday, 15 September, the sixth annual Kharkiv Pride parade saw queer participants take part in an “auto Pride,” where cars adorned with Ukrainian and LGBTQ+ Pride flags drove through the city centre. This form of Pride, with participants driving across Kharkiv, was previously used during the 2020 pandemic to maintain social distancing.
Organisers estimated that around 60 people rode in 13 cars, travelling down the city’s main avenues while promoting human rights. Spectators cheered as the procession passed, and organisers chose the auto format to prioritise safety amidst ongoing threats posed by the Russian invasion, which started more than two-and-a-half years ago.
Each vehicle carried banners calling on the Ukrainian parliament to criminalise hate crimes, including support for Bill 5488, which proposes specific penalties for crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity.
Although LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine are gradually advancing, same-sex marriage remains prohibited by Article 51 of the 1996 constitution, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Hostility toward homosexuality persists, with a 2022 World Values Survey revealing that more than 62 per cent of Ukrainians consider it “not justifiable.”
Some parade participants also used the event as a platform to urge European nations to continue supporting Kharkiv and Ukraine in the war.
Kharkiv Pride co-organiser Anna Sharygina underscored the importance of Ukraine’s victory and the ongoing fight for equal rights, stating: “Those who are risking their lives in battle cannot be denied their rights. It is both unjust and undignified, and the war has only brought these issues to light.”
Many LGBTQ+ individuals have served, or are currently serving, in the Ukrainian armed forces. One such participant, known by the call sign “Sapsan,” called for the recognition of queer soldiers, emphasising that those in the march represent not only those on the front lines but also those who have lost their lives. He also urged the government to pass Bill 5488.
