Kharkiv Pride went ahead despite shelling, with half its demands focused on military support — NV report

The rallies featured not only slogans for equal rights and legislative reforms but also calls for more funding for the Armed Forces, foreign air defense for Kharkiv, and permission to strike Russian territory.

NV journalist reports on the LGBT+ community's actions in the front-line city of Kharkiv.

Support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and legislative changes for equal rights: what exactly did the activists demand this year

On Sunday morning, a seemingly ordinary parking lot in Kharkiv took on a lively appearance as Kharkiv Pride organizers selected several locations for safety. In addition to the usual threats of rocket attacks and anti-aircraft missiles, organizers were concerned about potential disruptions from radical opponents of the LGBT community, prompting police and National Guard protection along the entire route. There were no incidents reported.

"We are Ukrainians demanding equal rights and increased support for our Armed Forces," said Maria, a participant. "We call for more funding for drones and weapons rather than city decorations, and urge Western countries to lift restrictions and allow our defenders to strike Russian territory."

This year’s Pride event, influenced by the full-scale invasion, places significant emphasis on supporting the Armed Forces. The four main demands include passing laws for registered partnerships and stricter penalties for intolerance crimes, as well as directing budget funds to military support and boosting air defense systems.

Anna Sharygina, president of the women's association Sfera and co-organizer of the event, explained, "Our demands include legal recognition of registered partnerships, which would grant equal rights to same-sex couples, and an updated law on intolerance crimes, which is currently missing from Ukrainian legislation."

The registered partnership law would officially recognize same-sex and different-sex couples, granting them family rights. The intolerance law seeks to enhance penalties for crimes committed out of intolerance, filling a gap in existing legislation.

According to the NV correspondent, all 13 vehicles in the event displayed posters urging support for the Armed Forces with slogans like "Drones save, flower beds don’t," highlighting the focus on military support during the event.

"People come out under the bombs to defend their rights. It deserves support and respect": how and why foreign military volunteers took part in Kharkiv Pride

The Ukrainian military traditionally participates in similar events, and their presence at the Kharkiv rally was met with positive reactions from participants, who took photos with the soldiers and expressed gratitude for their protection.

Among the participants was Ewok, an American who has lived in Kharkiv since before the full-scale invasion and calls the city her second home. Since early 2022, Ewok has fought with the International Legion of Ukraine and wears a "Veteran of the War — Participant in Hostilities" medal. Having previously participated in similar events in Poland and the U.S., she decided to support the community in Ukraine despite the challenging conditions.

"I lived in Poland for eight years, so I know what it's like to be in a country where society is hostile to the LGBT community," Ewok said. "In Ukraine, the society is more divided — some are hostile, while others are progressive and supportive. The International Legion is very supportive of LGBT rights."

Ewok's brother, Robert, also joined the International Legion after coming from Slovakia in the spring of 2022. He has fought in Kharkiv Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, and near Bakhmut. Robert, who speaks Ukrainian fluently, said, "In my country, attitudes toward LGBT issues are mixed. I decided to support people at this event because, despite frequent explosions and attacks, defending rights here deserves respect."

Robert wears a patch with an LGBT rainbow and notes that while it may spark discussions among fellow soldiers, it is unlikely to cause serious issues. "We talk about people's and LGBT rights with other soldiers. Everyone knows who the real enemy is. If you're ready to fight them, you're our brother."

Robert also mentioned an unusual issue: Ukrainian slang uses a derogatory term for the enemy that is a rough equivalent of "homosexual." While he sees this as more of a philosophical issue than a pressing problem, it reflects a complex intersection of language and identity in the conflict.

Ewok shared that she has faced more sexism than homophobia in the military. She described instances where her gender, rather than her skills, affected her placement in roles, highlighting ongoing challenges for women in the armed forces.

"We are often told that there are no LGBT soldiers. That these are some actors" — a fighter of air defense units on the attitude towards LGBT people among fellow Ukrainians

While the presence of foreign military personnel at the rally might not be surprising, seeing an active Ukrainian serviceman with a "Military LGBT+" flag was unexpected for many. Vladyslav, who goes by "Sapsan," serves in an air defense unit in Kyiv Oblast and has openly supported the LGBT community for some time.

"Some say there are no LGBT soldiers at the front or in the military, claiming they are just actors or evaders," Sapsan said. "I want to show that we are here, and many of us are not ready to speak openly about our identities. We represent not just ourselves but also those who protect the country, those in captivity, and those who have died in this war. I know many LGBT people in the military, as in any community."

Sapsan noted that when his LGBT identity became known, some peers made jokes, but there was no outright bullying or harassment, which he attributes to his firm stance against such behavior.

"I make it clear that I won't tolerate any intolerance. I perform my duties honestly and proactively. What I do in my personal time is my business. When I returned from active combat zones, I was either treated positively or ignored. The fact that people with different beliefs don’t interfere with my life is a plus. I don’t feel significant discomfort because of it."

"We don't want scandals, but interaction": what obstacles faced Pride in 2024

The Kharkiv Pride car race on Sunday went off smoothly, with a positive atmosphere among participants and no incidents requiring police intervention. The event was safeguarded by dozens of officers who faced no issues during the event.

Anna Sharygina, a co-organizer of Pride, acknowledged challenges in organizing the event, noting that city authorities had posed some obstacles but emphasized the successful execution of the action.

"I prefer to focus on the positive outcome. The main point is that the event went off without a hitch, and I hope the authorities see that constructive collaboration works well," Sharygina said.

However, KharkivPride recently reported difficulties in organizing another event, the Pride Fest. The festival, scheduled for Sept. 7-8, aimed to raise 800,000 hryvnias for military support in Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. The event faced venue cancellations due to threats, including concerns about increased attention and safety.

Despite these challenges, the Pride Fest proceeded under heightened security, with several hundred attendees and around 100 police officers ensuring safety.