Ukraine to consider legalizing same-sex marriage

A petition in Ukraine with 28,000 signatures is calling for same-sex marriage to be legalised

o A petition in Ukraine calling for same-sex marriage to be legalised has gained enough signatures for the president to consider the proposal.

o The petition has more than 28,000 signatures, meaning President Volodymyr Zelensky now has 10 days to respond.

legalizing same sex marriage. Homosexuality is not illegal in Ukraine, but same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not recognised, creative particular problems for people belonging to the LGBT for the military following Russia’s invasion. This impliez that under current Ukrainian law if someone in a same-sex relationship dies, their partner cannot collect their body or bury them.

The online petition states that “In these times, every day can be the last one.” One LGBT organization described the petition as an “integral moment” for members of the community. Oksana Solonska, media communications manager at Kyiv Pride, claimed that it is important that LGBTQ people hold the rights.to see their partner, take their body back from the morgue and petition for  compensation if needed, 

While all married couples have these rights, she hopes that same-sex marriage will be legalised, so LGBT people will be able to have these rights too. Any petitions in Ukraine with more than 25,000 signatures are eligible for the president’s consideration. This does not guarantee for laws granting same sex marriage to be passed and whether Mr Zelensky will decide to legalise it.

While some efforts have been made to protect LGBT people in Ukraine, the community still faces intolerance nd violence. It was supposed to be held in 2012 but was canceled post major threats. And in 2018, activists were attacked at a Kyiv transgender rally by far-right militants. 

But despite the risks, the Pride parade has grown in popularity and in 2013, the country’s first official Pride march was held in Kyiv despite protests. Last year, more than 7,000 people took part in a march in the capital. According to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in May, the number of people with negative views about the LGBT community has decreased from 60.4% to 38.2% in the past 6 years.

legalizing same sex marriage.