LGBTQ rights in Ukraine | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Status | Legal since 1991[1] |
| Gender identity | Transgender people allowed to change gender |
| Military | Gays, lesbians and bisexuals allowed to serve |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation and gender identity protections in employment (see below) |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex relationships |
| Restrictions | Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned |
| Adoption | Single people allowed to adopt; same-sex couples banned |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in Ukraine face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT individuals; historically, the prevailing social and political attitudes have been intolerant of LGBT people, and strong evidence suggests this attitude remains in parts of the wider society. Since the fall of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence in 1991, the Ukrainian LGBT community has gradually become more visible and more organized politically, organizing several LGBT events in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kryvyi Rih.
In a 2010 European study, 28% of Ukrainians polled believed that LGBT individuals should live freely and however they like, the lowest number of all European countries polled apart from Russia.[2] In 2015, the Ukrainian Parliament approved an employment anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity, and in 2016, Ukrainian officials simplified the transition process for transgender people and began allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood. In 2023 the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association ranked Ukraine 39th out of 49 European countries in terms of LGBT rights legislation, similarly to EU members Lithuania and Romania.[3] Marriage remains limited to heterosexual couples under the 1996 constitution.
In the 2011 UN General Assembly declaration for LGBT rights, Ukraine was the only East Slavic country to express its support. In late 2022, parliament unanimously approved a media regulation bill that banned hate speech and incitement based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In March 2023, a parliamentary bill was introduced for civil unions.[4]
- ^ Ottosson, Daniel (May 2008). "State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults" (PDF). International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
- ^ Michael Lipka (12 December 2013). "Eastern and Western Europe divided over gay marriage, homosexuality". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ilga-europewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Lavers, Michael K. (7 March 2023). "Ukrainian MP introduces bill to legally recognize same-sex couples". Washington Blade.