UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN UKRAINE, DENISE BROWN, MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA

On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the UN in Ukraine celebrates the Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ community and human rights defenders who are working tirelessly to promote and build a future where equality, freedom and respect for the human rights and dignity of all members of society are a reality.

The theme of this international day ‘Leave No One Behind: Equality, Freedom and Justice for All’ is a strong reminder to all of us that all Ukrainians, in all their diversities, including the LGBTIQ+ community must have equal rights in civil, political, social, and cultural aspects of life. LGBTIQ+ people are also volunteers, teachers, doctors, activists, fundraisers, and aid workers who are taking upon themselves the huge task of supporting the people of Ukraine whose lives have been upended by Russia’s invasion.

Despite undeniable progress, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face persistent discrimination, violence, and marginalization here and across the world. Russia’s invasion has heightened the challenges, particularly for those living in occupied territories. LGBTQI+ people were forced into displacement, faced more obstacles in accessing essential services and were exposed to increased risk of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.  

Even during these difficult times, Ukraine has taken necessary steps to strengthen the legal framework to recognize and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, including legislative initiatives to address discrimination and hate crimes and to recognize same-sex partnerships. On behalf of the UN in Ukraine, I commend these initiatives and strongly encourage Ukrainian lawmakers to make every effort to approve these national laws that recognize same-sex relationships and diverse gender identities. Ukrainian prosperous and peaceful future must be one where discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has no place.

The UN is also determined to also continue ensuring that our programmes in Ukraine, either humanitarian aid or projects to promote recovery from the devastation caused by the war, take into consideration the specific needs of all Ukrainian people, including the LGBTIQ+ community. We are working to ensure no one is left behind in Ukraine’s journey towards recovery.

But breaking all barriers to ending marginalization, injustice, discrimination, and violence requires a collective effort. We will continue working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ukrainian people, civil society organizations, and the Government to build a world of peace, respect, dignity, and human rights.

***

*Statement issued by Denise Brown, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, on behalf of all UN agencies and entities in Ukraine.