The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke publicly last week about the rights of LGBT people in Ukraine during a cultural showcase. He called for an open societal dialogue and condemned prejudice against queer individuals in strong terms. The remarks came as the first results of the state cultural funding program “Tysjatschowesna” (Thousands of Springs) were presented in Kyiv.
During the event, Oleksandr Demenko, head of the queer organization “LGBT-Military for Equality” and a survivor of the defense of the Azovstal steelworks, directed a question at the president. Demenko argued for “normalizing LGBTQ+-topics” and urged that society become more tolerant toward sexual and gender minorities.
Zelensky: Today’s youth are already much more progressive
Zelensky responded with a firm stance in favor of both legal and social equality: “I think we must talk openly with society about everything, and that is absolutely normal. We are all here with you, we defend the state, we are equal and we have absolutely equal rights—regardless of any, I don’t know, prejudices from people from the 15th century. You and I are modern people.” He added that the need for education and dialogue largely rests with the older generations, since today’s youth already acts in a much more modern and progressive way.
after getting standing ovation in Kyiv, a Ukrainian veteran, head of LGBTQ Military union, Oleksandr Demenko, confronts Zelenskyy over lack of progress with equality, recent marriage restrictions pushed by the parliament speaker. without flinching Zelenskyy sides with equality pic.twitter.com/br6R0ZVDv9
maksym eristavi. (@maksymeristavi) June 11, 2026
Background: The Parliament Speaker would like to restrict queer rights
The remarks come at a legally delicate moment for Ukraine’s LGBTI community. Although Ukraine’s Supreme Court had only recently affirmed a landmark ruling recognizing a same-sex couple as a family (TheColu.mn reported), there is a looming risk of backward steps on the legislative front.
Queer activists and human rights organizations are currently vocally criticizing the draft reform of Ukraine’s Civil Code that is under consideration in Parliament. The draft, introduced by Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefantschuk — a political ally of Zelensky — would explicitly limit the definition of family to the “cohabitation of a man and a woman.” This would block recognition of same-sex partnerships and curtail existing rights. Demenko urged Zelensky directly to engage with the Parliament’s chair to safeguard the interests of queer people and, in particular, queer soldiers in the new Civil Code.
A restriction of queer rights could also pose international risks for Ukraine: LGBTQ organizations emphasized after the first reading of the draft in April 2026 that the explicit narrowing of the family concept to “man and woman” would fundamentally conflict with EU requirements. Its passage could significantly hinder or delay accession talks.
Only in November of last year did the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg — the highest court of the European Union — rule against Poland for its refusal to recognize same-sex relationships (TheColu.mn reported). Last month, the government ordered that same-sex marriages concluded abroad must be recognized in light of the ruling (TheColu.mn reported).
Public opinion in Ukraine is turning
Public sentiment toward LGBT rights in Ukraine has undergone a fundamental shift in recent years — especially since the outbreak of Russia’s invasion. While the country was heavily influenced by post-Soviet conservative attitudes a decade ago, today there is a clear movement toward European values and social tolerance. In a 2024 survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, more than 70 percent of respondents supported equal rights for queer people. By comparison, in 2019 support for equality in comparable surveys stood at under 30 percent. (dk)
