The Ukrainian embassy in Germany has pledged its support to the Ukrainian LGBTI community. Ambassador Oleksij Makejew delivered a greeting to the participants of the Ukrainian “Pride Column” at the Berlin CSD, according to Kwitne Queer e.V., an organization that positions itself as the first officially registered Ukrainian LGBTI refugee organization in Europe and that is calling for participation in the capital’s Pride on July 25, in collaboration with partner organizations.
“The visibility of the Ukrainian queer community is an important prerequisite for protecting their rights, breaking down prejudices, and shaping a society in which every person can live freely and with dignity,” Makejew wrote in his message. The embassy reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the values of human dignity, freedom, and human rights.
“Ukraine unreservedly shares European values, particularly with regard to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and it advocates for equal and tolerant treatment of all citizens—regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal characteristics,” the ambassador continued. As a constitutional state and a democracy, his country “strongly opposes any form of discrimination.”
The queer community can “count on the embassy’s support at any time” — including in promoting civil society initiatives and for all Ukrainians who work for freedom, democracy, and Ukraine’s European future, Makejew concluded.
Frank Peter Wilde is the guest of honor of the “Pride Column”
Among the guests for the Ukrainian “Pride Column” at the Berlin CSD are activist Frank Peter Wilde and Oleksandra Bienert, the chair of the CineMova Ukrainian Empowerment Network. Representatives from KyivPride and other Ukrainian eye and German-Ukrainian organizations have also announced their participation.
At the Berlin CSD, the Ukrainian “Pride Column” has starting position 7. The gathering point is on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Leipziger Straße / Charlottenstraße. The march begins at 12:00 p.m. “We warmly invite everyone to join the Ukrainian group and to show together: the Ukrainian LGBTIQ+-community is visible, strong, and an indispensable part of European society,” said the Kwitne Queer team.
