Gay community in oktyabrske, ukraine

Homosexuality was condemned during Soviet times and prohibited by the Criminal Code of the USSR. Although Ukraine was the first country of the former Soviet Union to decriminalize homosexuality in , the stigma surrounding LGBTI people is largely due to the lack of human rights awareness and education. In fact, homosexuals are one of the most stigmatized groups in Ukraine. Societal bias against LGBTI people and a weak antidiscrimination legal framework increase the likelihood of hate crimes.

After coming out at the age of 15, he was supported by friends, his parents and two brothers, one of whom now serves in the same unit. Abrashyn enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces in April Since then, he's hardly faced any prejudice or discrimination. When fellow soldiers found out about his sexual orientation, most of them reacted neutrally, he recalls.

Southern Odesa, western Lviv and eastern Kharkiv offer opp. Southern Odesa, western Lviv and eastern Kharkiv offer opportunities and events for queer people to express themselves and stand up for their rights. Born and raised in this western provincial capital of , inhabitants, Kachmarskyy loves his hometown. He admits that although there are queer people in the city, there is no coherent community like in Kyiv or Kharkiv.

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