LGBT soldiers on the front line in Ukraine | BBC News

LGBT soldiers on the front line in Ukraine | BBC News

there are many openly LGBT soldiers serving on the front line well now they’re challenging people’s prejudices in a country where many still hold socially conservative and even homophobic views but the war has exposed an inequality as our correspondent Jee McKenzie now reports this is where Ukraine’s Fallen are remembered and mourned for pride month the LGBT community have come to lay flags for their dead rodan’s former boyfriend was killed during the first months of the invasion Roman was just 21 when a local family leaked the position of his unit to the Russians Roma was like you know really I think like one of best people you know like the deaths of gay soldiers on the front line has exposed an injustice here LGBT people don’t have equal marriage rights all this death all this Blood the same the same no matter it’s heterosexual people or homosexual people it’s the same I don’t want to feel like I’m like one of half citizen I’m the same human as anyone like I pay the same tax I’m the same Pro Ukrainian yes and Rocket can kill me the same way like everybody else woo this is the first Pride march to be held since the start of the war and Military campaigners are using this moment to back a new law to allow same-sex Partnerships as it stands the partners of those killed in combat are not entitled to collect their bodies the Marchers are only allowed to move a few hundred meters there’s a risk of homophobic attacks this community is still battling against conservative views even though these soldiers are challenging people’s prejudices we showed that there are uh LGBT Defenders on the front line and ukrainians respect that and that is why they are more they became more inclusive towards LGB community only but the celebrations are quickly wrapped up as hundreds of protesters make their way to the symbolic maidan Square this group of far-right protesters have just turned up to try and counter The Pride March and they have been shouting incredibly offensive and homophobic slogans now the LGBT organizers are saying that they are not reflective of society there are always going to be people who are homophobic they say that Society is growing more tolerant but this gives you a sense of some of the opposition I that they’re up against there’s opposition in Parliament too the bill on samex Partnerships has been blocked by conservative MPS and LGBT soldiers worry the war might not provide the window for change they’d hoped for Jee McKenzie BBC News ke

In Ukraine there are many openly LGBTQ soldiers serving on the front line.

Attitudes to LGBT rights have shifted enormously over the past decade, as Ukraine has embraced European values, though many still hold socially conservative and even homophobic views.

LGBT soldiers have reported being bullied and harassed in their units, with reports of discriminatory comments such as “Why can’t you form your own unit?”.

The BBC has asked Ukraine’s military about the treatment of LGBT soldiers, but has not yet received a response.

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