On June 23, more than 8,000 people participated in the March for Equality, the annual pride event in Kiev, Ukraine, making it the largest pride march in the history of the country. The people marched amid tight security, provided by the government to prevent any conflict with counter demonstrations called by homophobic right-wing groups.
The marchers chanted slogans such as “Human rights – above all else!”, “All different, all equal!”, and “Trans-people everywhere!” Reports said that a group of LGBT-military personnel also participated in the march.
Elena, one of the marchers, told The Village, “In previous years, it was terrible to go and join the march, but now you understand that you are safe here. In the end, we march for a basic thing – the equality of all people, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and people with disabilities.”
The newly elected president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, offered full security for the pride march against right-wing attacks. “The Ukrainian constitution guarantees equality and freedom of expression,” he said.
