Kyiv’s LGBTQ-friendly businesses have found themselves under an online attack on Oct. 4.
Dozens of negative reviews were written on Google Maps for establishments labeled as LGBTQ-friendly on the map created by the nonprofit KyivPride, causing the rating of these businesses to drop.
The online campaign was organized by Solaris, a neo-Nazi group known for its past attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.
The group openly wrote about it on its official Telegram channel, calling on their 1,700 followers to write negative reviews for more than 20 businesses listed.
The Hum:Hum restaurant was among the targeted establishments. The owner, Oksana Romaniuk, says that the restaurant’s social media manager told her that many people started leaving one-star reviews along with “discriminatory and very unpleasant comments.”
“It was clear from the beginning that this was a bot attack (…) related to our public statements. This is not only a Google Maps issue but a broader socio-political one,” Romaniuk told the Kyiv Post.
Ukraine’s movement for LGBTQ+ rights has been growing over the past five years with the Pride march taking place every year under police protection. However, right-wing groups’ attacks on LGBTQ+ members and the community’s events are still common.
Earlier in May, Kyiv Pride nonprofit that arranges the annual Pride rally and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, launched an application for the community. The app includes a map of Kyiv featuring LGBTQ-friendly businesses including restaurants, stores and events.
“It is unacceptable in a democratic country to shame and bully for the support of LGBTQ+ rights,” Kyiv Pride wrote in a statement on Oct. 4.
The nonprofit’s social media manager, Maxim Potapovych, says that Kyiv Pride along with other LGBTQ+ organizations plans on filing a collective complaint to the police.
“Spam attacks were orchestrated by officially registered organizations, the police know their identities, and they need to take responsibility for their actions,” Potapovych told the Kyiv Post.
Earlier in May, Kyiv Pride’s film screening was allegedly attacked by Solaris members. According to the nonprofit, 20 guests were injured.
In early August, a man was brutally assaulted outside a gay nightclub in Kyiv.
