I’ve met many gays in Ukraine (whose full names I will not publish for their own safety) who live a secret life in what can be described as an “underground world” — meeting other gay guys via social media, or visiting gay clubs that are hidden for the public, fearing for anti-gay raids.
When I tell some of my gay friends my parents know about me and are okay with my homosexuality, they’re shocked. The fear that some of them carry with them is unimaginable for me. Ukraine is a country where traditional Christian family values are cherished. Religion plays a big part in the daily life of many Ukrainians, and there is zero-tolerance towards gays. Just like in Russia, many gays in Ukraine fear violence on a daily basis. If violence is used against them, many fear to report it to the police because of their homosexuality. They’re too scared to tell the police that they’re gay.
A country that is literally fighting for a European future should do its utmost best to implement not just European values, but fundamental human rights.
As Ukraine is on the edge of receiving visa-free travel to the European Union, the EU required Ukraine to adopt legislation to prohibit discrimination in the work place on basis of sexual orientation.
On Nov. 5 the Ukrainian parliament failed to adopt this legislation into the labor code as a majority of members of parliament voted against it, smashing the door of a visa-free regime into the face of millions of Ukrainians and ignoring the fundamental human rights that are needed for a European integration.
“Traditional values,” or by 2015 you could maybe better call it homophobia, are considered more important than becoming a stronger European partner.
Human rights are two difficult words to understand for some of the members of parliament in Ukraine’s parliament.
Sergey Kaplin, a member of parliament from the Bloc of President Petro Poroshenko, mentioned during a discussion in the parliament that Ukraine’s ancestors, the Cossacks, “would trample those people (gays) with their horses.” Kaplin voted no. Still, I have to think twice when he actually said those words, “trample those people with their horses.”
A member of parliament, part of a so-called “pro-European coalition party” that is chosen by the Ukrainian citizens, that should represent the Ukrainian people, is treating a part of them like second-class citizens.
It’s not only wrong, but his words could even inspire more violence against gays. Being openly homophobic as a member of parliament will trigger more homophobia and thus violence targeted at the LGBT community. It takes a way an essential part of freedom: being who you want to be and to not be scared who you are. The EU should condemn in strong words what Ukraine’s parliament has said and how some MPs talked about the LGBT community as dirt.
The no vote against the anti-discrimination legislation also brings up the question what Ukraine actually wants. Does it really want to become part of the “European family,” and is it willing to adopt changes?
The actions in the Rada on Nov. 5 clearly show that old-time politics aren’t yet ready for it. Reforms in Ukraine are driven by young, motivated people, and what I do know, is that there are many talented, young people in Ukraine, straight or gay, that don’t care about “traditional values,” but rather see this country shape up again under a European flag with opportunities for everyone, gay or straight.
I call it freedom.
