LGBTIQ+ in Ukraine: Equality and resilience during and after war

Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights in Ukraine takes place in the context of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and the country’s broader democratic transformation. Despite the pressures of war, advocacy for equality has continued. A resilient civil society and strong activists, together with the realities of wartime, have contributed to growing public support for equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people. However, key legislation that would ensure legal equality has yet to be adopted. 

We work with partners and civil society organizations to strengthen legal protections and raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights. This includes advocating for LGBTIQ+-sensitive hate crime legislation so that homophobic and transphobic crimes are properly recognized and investigated, as well as supporting efforts to introduce a partnership law that would provide legal recognition for same-sex couples. The absence of such recognition has particularly serious consequences during wartime. 

We support community centers in Kyiv, Lviv, and Lutsk run by our partner Insight Public Organization. These centers provide safe spaces, psychological support, and reliable information for LGBTIQ+ people affected by war, trauma, and displacement. In 2025 alone, more than 600 individuals received psychological consultations, over 8,800 people participated in community events, and a nationwide awareness campaign reached more than 300,000 people. 

Through advocacy, public campaigns, and community support, we work to counter stigma, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure that LGBTIQ+ people are not left behind in Ukraine’s humanitarian response and democratic development.