| LGBT rights in Ukraine | |
|---|---|
 Ukraine |
|
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Legal since 1991[1] |
| Gender identity/expression | Change of gender is allowed[2][3] |
| Recognition of relationships |
No recognition of same-sex relationships |
| Adoption | Gays and lesbians can not adopt children because civil partnerships for same sex couples are not recognised as a marriage in Ukraine.[4] |
| Military service | Gays and lesbians allowed to serve |
| Discrimination protections | No specific protections for sexual orientation or gender identity (see below) |
Lesbian, gay, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Ukraine may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Ukraine, but households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.
Overall Ukraine is a conservative, mainly Orthodox Christian, country. Most LGBT Ukrainians are afraid to be open about their orientation.[5]. There are a few LGBT publications (and internet sites) like "One of Us" and few gay bars and a night club in Kiev.
Contents |
Most gay and lesbian Ukrainians do not dare to be openly gay/lesbian[5] and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Ukraine feel they have been ignored by the political establishment[6].
In September 2003, the first, albeit small, public Pride parade was held in Kiev.[5] In May 2008 Ukrainian LGBT groups were prevented from marking the International Day Against Homophobia after a last minute intervention authorities who told organisers that due to the likelihood of friction the programme of events would have to be cancelled. Roman Catholics, Christianity of Evangelist belief, Seventh Day Adventists, Eparchy of Christianity and Baptist and the Union of Independent Orthodox churches had asked local authorities to forbid any action by representatives of sexual minorities.[7]
Ukraine is thought to be among the more tolerant of former Soviet countries (thus not compared to other European country's)[5][8][9].
Homosexual sex was legalised and the age of consent equalized in 1991.
No recognition with respect to same-sex marriage or civil unions is currently legal. Constitution banned same-sex marriage[10]
In Ukraine, there are no anti-discrimination laws. The Ukrainian Constitution states that citizens are equal before law, but sexual orientation is not specifically mentioned.[11] However, the list of grounds of discrimination includes an "on other basis", which could be used for gay protection, but it has never been tested in court.
In a 2007 country-wide survey by the Institute of Sociology 16.7% Disagreed strongly and 17.6% Disagreed with the following statement Gay men and lesbians should be free to live their own life as they wish. Only 30.2% agreed strongly and agreed with the statement. That was the lowest rating of agreed strongly and agreed with the statement" of 24 countries investigated[12].
In a December 2007 survey by Angus Reid Global Monitor 81.3% of Ukrainians polled said that homosexual relations were "never acceptable", 13% answered "sometimes acceptable" and 5.7% "acceptable"[13]. Of all the behaviors listed, homosexuality was viewed as the third worst after shoplifting and drunk driving. Notably, more people view this as acceptable than viewing adultery (61.5% never, 29.3% sometimes), traffic rule violation (70.2% never, 25.6% sometimes), pollution (73.3% never, 22.4% sometimes), tax evasion (48.5% never, 37.5% sometimes), deception for the sake of profit (48.3% never, 41.6% sometimes), as well as a list of other things including abortion, premarital sex, complaining to authorities about a friend who has stolen something, etc.
In another Angus Reid Global Monitor survey, this one on June 2007, on a long list of possible social reforms in the country, gay marriage only received 4.7% of the vote, the lowest by far (the next lowest being light drugs, at 7.1%).[14] This is the lowest percentage of any country in a recent poll asking about support for same-sex marriage (understanding, however, that in general, more homophobic countries won't even have the issue on the political spectrum and thus are less likely to be polled on the issue).
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   | New Ukraine, Old Homophobia - The GULLY | Gay Mundo | New Ukraine, Old Homophobia |
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