Briefing Note: Securing access to border crossings for vulnerable LGBTI people in the context of the war in Ukraine

LGBTI people in the context of the war in Ukraine, like everyone, have many reasons to stay in Ukraine or to leave the country. Like their fellow citizens, LGBTI people are staying, supporting each other, providing mutual aid, and fighting against the Russian invasion. LGBTI people, however, face additional barriers to fleeing the country, including structural homo- and transphobia, which can occur in many contexts.

See also

Press Release

Giving hope comes with responsibility to us, say activists from new EU enlargement countries

Today, LGBTI activists from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia met with EU representatives in Brussels to explain serious challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex […]
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Blog

Four questions to ask yourself before launching a crisis fundraising campaign

Sadly, the past few years in our world have been marked by major crises, be it the COVID pandemic, war, conflict, natural disasters or violent […]
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News

Statement of Solidarity with the LGBTQI Community in Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion

On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Today, we commemorate the year of resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people fighting against this aggression, supporting […]
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Blog

How we’re supporting LGBTI activists and organisations one year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine

On 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the largest armed conflict in Europe since the Second World War. […]
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Blog

Activists on Accession to the EU

Although achieving EU membership can take several years, even decades, the accession process can already have a positive impact in LGBTI people in a candidate country. We speak to activists in the latest candidates, Ukraine and Moldova, and from Montenegro, which has been a candidate since 2010.
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Blog

Why our Equality Fundraiser was an essential moment of queer solidarity

After two years of not being able to be together in person, our friends and allies joined us for an evening of solidarity this year, with all funds raised going directly to organisations helping LGBTI people affected by the war in Ukraine. Here’s why we need support more than ever.
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Blog

The United Nations has identified LGBTI people as a group specifically affected by the war in Ukraine

Working alongside ILGA-Europe, the UN High Commissioner for Refugee has published recommendations for humanitarian actors working with LGBTI people affected by the war in Ukraine.
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News

Joint committment to LGBTI people in and fleeing Ukraine

On May 17, UNAIDS and ILGA-Europe co-hosted an event to mark IDAHOBIT. Panellists addressed the existing gaps within the humanitarian response in the context of the war in Ukraine, and concluded with recommendations and commitment to better protect the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people staying in Ukraine or who have left.
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Report

Integrating LGBTI inclusive Gender Based Violence risk prevention, reduction and mitigation in the context of war in Ukraine

The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in the need for immediate action to address the needs both of a significant population of Ukrainians fleeing […]
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Blog

Keeping LGBTI people safe as the war in Ukraine continues

To mark IDAHOBIT on May 17, ILGA-Europe and UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, will host an event focusing on the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in and from Ukraine. Here, our Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis speaks to UNAIDS about the particular challenges facing LGBTIQ+ people caught up in war.
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News

IDAHOBIT 2022: Rights of LGBTQI+ people in and from Ukraine

On the occasion of IDAHOBIT, ilga-eUROPE and UNAIDS are hosting an event focusing on the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in and from Ukraine.
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Blog

#LesbianVisibilityWeek: The situation for lesbian women in and from Ukraine

Like all members of the LGBTI community who have either remained in Ukraine, or are on the move to a safer place, lesbians are facing specific challenges and needs. This Lesbian Visibility Week, we’re learning more.
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Blog

#UkraineLGBTI Update: LGBTI shelters need urgent support, medication continues to be a major issue and more

Here’s our latest update on what’s happening for LGBTI people either staying in or fleeing Ukraine, the ways we’re working to help, and how you can urgently help too.
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Report

Briefing Note: Ukraine war: Temporary protection and LGBTI people in EU member states

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Report

Briefing Document: Ukraine war – Medications needed by trans and intersex people

The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has resulted in need for immediate action to address the needs both of a significant population of Ukrainians fleeing the […]
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News

Contacts if you are an LGBTI person fleeing Ukraine

If you are LGBTI who fled the war and need help, this is who you can contact Belgium: Rainbow House Brussels: http://rainbowhouse.be/en/about-us/ Czechia: Email hotline: help@praguepride.com Czech […]
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Blog

Trans Day of Visibility 2022: Here’s what you absolutely should know about trans communities from Ukraine

It’s March 31, Trans Day of Visibility. To mark this day, at ILGA-Europe we want to commend the amazing work trans-led organisations are doing as the war in Ukraine continues, and tell you about the current needs of trans communities staying or leaving the country.
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Blog

‘#UkraineLGBTI: Information, Action, Direction

The war is not going to be a short-term situation for vulnerable people in Ukraine, Russia, and countries in Europe and Central Asia that are and will be hosting displaced people. To support the work of LGBTI activists and organisations in Ukraine, Russia and other affected countries as the war of Putin continues, ILGA-Europe has developed a three-part plan.
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Report

Five easy things humanitarian aid actors should do to ensure LGBTI refugees of war are not left behind

The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in the need for immediate action to address the needs both of a significant population of Ukrainians fleeing […]
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Podcast

The frontline: LGBTI People and the War in Ukraine

At ILGA-Europe we recognise that the war is not going to be a short-term situation for vulnerable people in Ukraine, Russia, neighbouring countries, and all […]
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Report

Briefing Document: Ukraine war – LGBTI People in the context of armed conflict and mass displacement

The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in need for immediate action to address the needs both of a significant population of Ukrainians fleeing the […]
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Blog

A Marathon, not a sprint: how we’re responding to the invasion of Ukraine

In the past week, since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the global response has been massive, alongside a great number of organisations working with […]
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News

Support for LGBTI People in Ukraine

As is the world, at ILGA-Europe we are continually assessing the rapidly developing situation in Ukraine and the region, and in particular for LGBTI people.  […]
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Report

Enlargement Reviews – ILGA-Europe’s submissions to Progress Reports of the European Commission

ILGA-Europe has in partnership with national organisations provided the European Commission with detailed documentation on human rights violations against LGBTI people in all candidate and […]
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Podcast

Rainbow Family Rights in Europe – Part 4: At a Crossroads in Ukraine

Several pathways for partnership rights were part of the Ukraine took in EU-Ukraine Association agreement 2014-2016. Based on it the Ukrainian government developed a human […]
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Blog

“It feels as if we’re trapped with our abusers.” Ukrainian activist Anna Sharyhina tells the story of unhindered anti-LGBTI abuse in Kharkiv

Throughout 2020, LGBTI activists have been harassed, intimidated and threatened by well-known far right groups in Ukraine, while police and local authorities turn a blind eye. Here is activist Anna Sharyhina’s alarming story, and how you can lend her and other LGBTI Ukrainian activists your support.
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News

Odesa Pride attacked by Ukrainian nationalist group ‘Tradition and Order’

On the 30th of August, Odesa Pride tried to hold a peaceful gathering on one of the central streets of Odesa, Ukraine. Despite the fact that the group Tradition and Order were issuing threats before the event and came prepared to the gathering, where they acted violently, the authorities failed to prevent the attacks and ensure the freedom of assembly of the Odesa Pride participants.
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Case Law

P. v. Ukraine

Intersex (Legal gender recognition)
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