The Kyiv Independent reports:

There should be open public discussion about the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 11, in a rare reference to the topic. Zelensky’s comment came during a cultural event in Kyiv, as legislative efforts to advance LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine continue to face slow progress, despite growing public support in recent years.

Oleksandr Demenko, a veteran and head of an LGBTQ+ military and veterans NGO asked the president whether Ukraine needs cultural products that “normalize LGBTQ+ topic” and help increase public tolerance in the country.

“I believe that everything should be discussed openly with society, and that is completely normal,” Zelensky replied. “We are all here together, we are defending the state, we are the same and we have absolutely the same rights, regardless of any prejudices held by people from the 15th century. We are modern people,” the president added.

Read the full article. 

LGBTQ rights will be among the key issues considered during Ukraine’s push to join the European Union.

LGBTQ people can serve openly in Ukraine’s military and protections exist in employment and other areas. In 2023, LGBTQ Ukrainians were included under hate speech laws.

However, same-sex marriage is banned in Ukraine’s constitution and same-sex couples are banned from adopting. A civil unions bill has been under consideration since 2022.