This space is the first of its kind not only in Ukraine, but also in Eastern Europe. The hub was made possible with the support of the EU Delegation and the International Renaissance Foundation.
This was reported by the NGO ‘Ukrainian LGBT+ Military for Equal Rights’ on its Facebook page.
The event was attended by guests from embassies, veteran communities, and MP Inna Sovsun. As part of the event, the military and veterans also held an evening of art. In particular, poet and servicewoman Yaryna Chornohuz read out her poems.
‘This is a very significant event for us, and we have been preparing for it for a long time. Once upon a time, I could not even imagine that we would have our own veterans’ space, where we would be able to welcome our guests, friends, allies, as well as invite MPs and all those people on whom our lives and the lives of our community members depend,’ said Viktor Pylypenko, head of the Ukrainian LGBT+ Military organisation.
He added that the opening of the hub featured an exhibition of openly LGBT military personnel, as well as those who had already died and who had not had time to come out during their lives – their faces were hidden in their portraits.
‘Their faces are covered to protect them from outing, from possible homophobia, which they did not want to experience during their lifetime,’ Viktor explained.
According to him, the hub will provide psychological and legal support. Sexologists also work here to help the military cope with war trauma or accept their sexual orientation.
‘We also lobby for laws that are necessary for the safety and well-being of our participants. Laws on civil partnerships, laws on increasing responsibility for crimes committed on the grounds of intolerance,’ Pylypenko said.
Source: Pohlyad
