More than two thousand people took part in Kiev’s gay pride event on Sunday amid a heavy police presence as nationalist protesters tried to halt the event and burned a rainbow flag.
More than two thousand people took part in Kiev’s gay pride event on Sunday amid a heavy police presence as nationalist protesters tried to halt the event and burned a rainbow flag.
Participants walked through the city centre, waving the gay rights movement’s rainbow flags protected from counter-protesters by lines of Ukrainian police and National Guard.
Ukraine’s pro-European authorities ensured the gay pride event could go ahead despite widespread homophobic attitudes in the ex-Soviet country where gay marriage is not permitted. Police said around 2,500 marchers took part.
« Finally in our country we are able to come out for our rights and show that we exist, » said one participant, Tetyana.
« I feel nervous and happy that I can come out and not fear anything. »
Another marcher Volodymyr Kosenko said « I feel pride today because I see round me my friends and acquaintances and my husband. I see people who came out to say that everyone is equal in Ukraine. »
Marchers shouted slogans such as « We’re different, we’re equal! » and « Ukraine for all! »
Among the marchers was British Ambassador Judith Gough, who wrote on Twitter there was a « fine party atmosphere. »
But the marchers were opposed by more than 100 ultra-nationalists who tried to block the route and burned a LGBT rainbow flag.
The police contained the ultra-nationalists, however, and organisers slightly changed the route to take a parallel street to avoid them.
Police said they detained six protesters who tried to break through the cordon.
« I’m convinced that this is wrong. It’s a sin and it can destroy our country morally, » said Irina, a student, who was protesting against the event.
« I condemn the propaganda of homosexuality in Ukraine and particularly the holding of gay parades. I came to speak out against it. The Bible says clearly it’s a sin, » said Kyrylo Babentsov.
Last year’s Kiev event was held in the city centre for the first time amid an unprecedented police presence and attracted around 700 participants.
In 2015 a gay pride event — held far from the centre — lasted only a few minutes before stone-throwing nationalist protesters clashed with the participants and at least 10 people were injured and 25 detained.
A 2014 march was cancelled after police refused to ensure participants’ safety.
In neighbouring Russia, Moscow authorities have never authorised a gay pride event, arguing that the public is not ready for it, and riot police have broken up unauthorised marches.
