December 2, 2022
This talk features the amazing Dzvenyslava Shcherba – a Ukrainian human rights activist and human rights defender. Her activism is focused mostly on women’s rights and LGBTQI rights. We spoke with Dzvenyslava about what is going on in Ukraine regarding human rights now, and daily life in Kyiv.
We also discussed the ongoing war and refugee crisis, and the progress Ukraine made in LGBTQI human rights in comparison to Russia’s continuing persecution of LGBTQI people. The USA must continue supporting Ukraine to support human rights in Eastern Europe and worldwide.
Full video conversation you can find on YouTube by the link.
About the situation in Ukraine
At present, the situation is really ambivalent, in cities like Kyiv, Lviv people go to cafes, have meetings, they lead more or less normal life but the moment is really unstable, there are bombings and shellings every day. Right now, Ukraine is getting ready to another massive missiles strike that can take place any day and cause one more blackout. It’s really impossible to work and study as internet connection and electricity are not available on a regular basis. Sometimes, you have to move round the city to find stable internet, or even food. It sounds ridiculous when you realize that all this is happening in the 21st century. People continue dying from Russian bombs and missile attacks. But at the same time people are united and ready to fight evil. Everyone tries to support each other. Ukrainians were very happy when Ukrainian army liberated Kherson.
In Kyiv people try to live more or less normal life, they go to cafes, walking around, everything is working. Businesses, like cafes, restaurants bought generators to keep their business afloat, supermarkets are also open, groceries are available. Sometimes restaurants arrange candlelit dinners. But when the evening comes the streets plunge into darkness and it’s very hard to see especially in Christmas season. Everyone in Ukraine would like to celebrate but unfortunately, it’s not possible.
Refugees situation
The people don’t flee from big cities which are far from the frontline. They are just trying to make their lives as comfortable as possible. It means that they have to buy some equipment to keep themselves warm. Of course, there are people that are leaving, for example, newly liberated territories, such as Kherson Oblast since the shellings intensified in that area. But the number of refugees cannot be even remotely compared the numbers we had in February and March. There are people who came back to Ukraine from abroad.
LGBT in Ukraine
Right now, LGBT movement in Ukraine is mostly focused on security issues. It’s about safety, providing shelters to LGBT people who had to leave their homes, organizing events where people can socialize and come together. An interesting fact is that many LGBT activists moved to western Ukraine. Before war LGBT organizations were not very visible in that region as it’s considered to be conservative and there is big impact of religious organizations on people there. Now, Lviv has become the center of LGBT movement in Ukraine. Some LGBT organization continue functioning even in such cities as Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Dnipro. Right now, their activities are focused more on the humanitarian help, as well as providing assistance to LGBT soldiers. Ukraine has a very strong LGBT movement of people who serve in army. Ukraine is making some progress in LGBT issues. There was a petition on the presidential website in support of same-sex marriages which was published by LGBT person and was supported by more than 20 000 people. Civil partnership law looks quite realistic, there is hope that in few years Ukraine will make that step. There is a big problem with LGBT rights on occupied territories, people are tortured, kidnapped and prosecuted. The most important now is to win the war to be able to continue making progress.
Situation in Russia
Russia adopted a new propaganda law which prohibits talking about LGBT at all. This law is a part of this regime. They keep on using anti-western narrative which says that LGBT people live mostly in western countries and they are ruining traditional values, they are dangerous for families and children. Russian propaganda also says that war in Ukraine started because of LGBT prides Ukraine was organizing. Hatred to LGBT is an essential part of Russian political regime. The law Russia adopted is very dangerous for LGBT people on occupied territories as Russia exercises effective control there and can easily prosecute people based on their sexual orientation. This law is another step to ban freedom of speech and expression. Right now, for example, in New York there is a bigger number of LGBT people coming from Russia comparing to LGBT Ukrainians.
**Ukraine is a human right center of Eastern Europe. **
Ukraine has become a center of human rights. There are very many good things done for LGBT. People are very active, they unite, organize different projects, make themselves visible. They are fighting for their rights and this brings changes. You don’t have that in Russia or Belarus. Freedom is a national idea of Ukrainians; it comes from the Cossack state. All anti-LGBT stuff seems to be imposed by former Soviet Union and later Russia. Hating others is not natural for Ukrainian nation.
Why the USA have to keep on supporting Ukraine.
In the US there are some voices that call on stopping providing help to Ukraine and it’s very painful to hear because if Ukraine will stop resisting it will lose its independence, more people will suffer under occupation, they will go through tortures. We shouldn’t have any illusions, we have already seen what happened in occupied territories, in Mariupol, in Bucha, in Kherson. People were just killed because they are Ukrainians. All Russian propaganda, their opinion leaders, they justify the violence towards Ukrainians, they say that it’s good to kill Ukrainians, destroy everything which is connected to Ukraine. Speaking about LGBT rights, there will be none if Russia prevails. It may end up with criminal prosecution of LGBT people as it’s absolutely in line with Russia’s ideology. American support is about independence of Ukraine, about protecting people’s lives. Before the war came to Ukraine, we used to live normal life, we had some plans, had our work, studies, all of these was destroyed in just one moment because of Russia’s ambitions. Ukraine really needs support from the USA and from all over the world. If Ukraine loses in this war, the tyranny and hatred will spread further. Stand up for Ukraine and demand justice, it’s crucial for the free world. If Russia invades Ukraine LGBT people will be dying just silently in prisons, they will be tortures and kidnapped. Russia has long history of torturing Ukrainians, it’s not a good power that will just take over the territories, they will kill and destroy everything they can reach to.
We seek to assist Ukrainian LGBTQ + individuals living in the US and Canada to integrate, adapt, and productively contribute to American society.
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Maksym Kasyanchuk: Now all of Ukraine is feeling a little bit of what we felt in Mariupol
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January 14, 2023
Photo Exhibition in Washington DC: LGBTIQ+ in defense of Ukraine
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November 22, 2022
Тетяна Касьян: Про Стамбульську конвенцію, справу Джоні Деппа та камінг-аути військових
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November 15, 2022
Photo exhibition LGBTIQ+ in defense of Ukraine
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October 17, 2022
“США для мене стала країною, де я шукав прихистку та порятунку”
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October 5, 2022
Як знайти роботу мігрантам у США: поради експерта
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September 27, 2022
The butterfly effect: What Americans think about war in Ukraine
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June 9, 2022
Coalition for investigating Russian anti-LGBTQ propaganda and hate crimes in Ukraine
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June 5, 2022
Uniting for Ukraine program for LGBTQ community
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June 5, 2022
QUA extend programs for support Uranian LGBTQI+ community
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May 11, 2022
«Для того, щоб українці могли отримати допомогу, я заговорив польською». Українець Володимир Сенко працює у польському Червоному Хресті і відправляє на Батьківщину вантажі з гуманітарною допомогою
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May 4, 2022
Activists of the human rights organization Kyiv Pride during the war times support the LGBT+ community, raise money for the army, and work on the media front.
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May 1, 2022
“Ukraine has a much easier gender transition process compared to many European countries”
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April 14, 2022
“I am pleasantly surprised how Romania welcomed us”. Irpin resident Maria Tiekuch fled the war to volunteer in Europe
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April 13, 2022
Precious shelter during the war. Ukrainian human rights organization Fulcrum organized shelters in Lviv for LGBTQ people and others
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April 7, 2022
My mission is to help those who need support. Public activist Anna Medko has become a “hotline” for all those who are scared of war
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April 1, 2022
Attack on LGBTQ organization in Kyiv
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April 1, 2022
Queer Ukrainian Activists and Allies Organize White House Rally, Call for Full Protections for Queer Ukrainian Refugees
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April 1, 2022
US Temporary Shelter Assistance Program for Ukrainian LGBTQ Community from QUA
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March 31, 2022
Lack of hormonal medications and inability to cross the border: The problems Ukrainian trans people face during the war
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March 26, 2022
QUA to organize April 3 LGBTQI-Ukrainian Solidarity Rally
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March 22, 2022
Officer of Armed Forces of Ukraine: “Hiding in the subway is worse than being on the front line”
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March 9, 2022
QUA responds to Russian war and aggression in Ukraine
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March 1, 2022
How to donate
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February 26, 2022
Aid Network for LGBTQ Ukrainian refugees
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February 23, 2022
Queer Ukrainian Activists and Allies to Gather at Stonewall Inn, Denounce Russian Aggression Toward Ukraine
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February 21, 2022
Nina Jankowicz about why Russia uses LGBT+ issue domestically and abroad
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February 21, 2022
Viktor Pylypenko
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October 1, 2021
Bogdan Globa: HOW RUSSIA EXPORTS HOMOPHOBIA INTO UKRAINE
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June 14, 2021
Communication with QUA
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January 20, 2021
QUA та hive.report запускають унікальний портал з інклюзивної політики
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December 7, 2020
Biden-Harris Administration: Will their time in office become a renaissance for the LGBTQ community and human rights in Ukraine?
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November 10, 2020
Ukraine: The liberal honeymoon for LGBTQ is over.
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October 10, 2020
US political asylum 2020 – what you need to know
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August 13, 2020
Open letter to Representatives Eliot L. Engel and Marcia Carolyn Kaptur
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June 16, 2020
QUA: OUR ONLINE PRIDE 2020
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June 9, 2020
QUA – LGBTQ Ukrainians in America are officially registered like a NGO
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June 5, 2020
Justice for one is justice for all
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June 1, 2020
QUA is working on the report about Russian anti-LGBTQ propaganda in Ukraine and Eastern Europe
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