In a powerful show of courage and resilience, LGBTQ+ Pride events in both Kyiv and Kharkiv took place in September 2024, defying the ongoing Russian bombings and the harsh realities of war. Despite the risks of violence and destruction, these celebrations of love and equality carried a potent message of defiance and solidarity, offering hope and strength to the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine.
In Kyiv, the capital city, the Pride event was held in a secure location, with heightened security measures due to the ongoing threat of Russian airstrikes. Thousands of participants—LGBTQ+ individuals and allies—gathered under the banner of resilience, holding rainbow flags and marching through designated areas of the city. The event featured performances, speeches from activists, and a show of unity, not just among Ukrainians, but with international allies as well. “We will not let the war silence us. We are here, and we will keep fighting for our rights, our safety, and our future,” said Mykhailo S., a participant in Kyiv Pride, his voice filled with conviction.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Pride organizers faced similar challenges but remained determined to celebrate visibility and demand equal rights. Kharkiv’s Pride was a smaller event due to the proximity of the front lines, but its impact was no less significant. The LGBTQ+ community, alongside allies, gathered in makeshift shelters and community spaces to mark the occasion with speeches and a quiet, yet powerful march. “This is not just a celebration. It’s a declaration. A declaration that we will not be erased, even in the face of war,” said Iryna, an LGBTQ+ advocate in Kharkiv.
Both cities’ Pride events were not merely about celebration; they were also acts of resistance. Despite the bombings and the horrors of war, these events were an assertion that LGBTQ+ individuals would not be pushed back into the shadows. The message was clear: the LGBTQ+ community, like the rest of Ukraine, is fighting for survival, dignity, and equality.
International support poured in from allies around the world. Representatives from LGBTQ+ organizations, political figures, and activists joined the events to express solidarity with Ukraine’s LGBTQ+ community. “The world is watching, and we stand with you,” said Thomas Malinowski, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, who attended the Kyiv event. “This Pride is a symbol of resistance, of not letting fear, violence, or war erase you.”
For the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine, these Pride celebrations were a beacon of hope. As the war rages on, their message is louder than ever: Love and identity will not be silenced, no matter the obstacles.