LGBTIQ+ in the military: What the defenders’ column brought to Kyiv’s Equality March

At this year’s Equality March in Kyiv, a group representing the military LGBTIQ+ community took part with a banner honoring fallen soldiers and those who remain anonymous for security reasons. One of their key messages was a call to legalize civil partnerships, a step they say is critical for service members to have basic family rights, including the ability to make decisions about a partner’s body or property if they’re injured or killed.

The topic was raised during a briefing held at Media Center Ukraine.

“It’s hard to give an exact number,” said Yuliia Shypitko, program manager at KyivPride. “I think around ten people were in uniform. But it’s possible others joined in plain clothes. Some may have chosen to walk in the general column instead, it’s about their safety. If someone is still in the military, they might not be ready to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to their unit or fellow soldiers.”

One of the most visible elements of the group was a large banner with portraits. Some of the faces were blurred or partially covered, a gesture meant to honor both those who were killed and those who couldn’t publicly identify themselves due to the risks.

“The banner said, ‘We are their voices,'” Shypitko explained. “It was a way to show up for LGBTIQ+ soldiers who’ve been killed, or who can’t speak out, whether for security reasons, or because they’re still serving and couldn’t take time off. We want to make sure they’re not forgotten, that they’re part of this march even if only in spirit or through a photo.”

One of the main demands raised during the march was the legal recognition of civil partnerships. For members of the military community, it’s not just symbolic, it carries real consequences.

“We talk a lot about this because it connects directly to what we call the military’s moratorium on death, the right to decide what happens to someone’s body and belongings if they die,” Shypitko said. “Right now, LGBTIQ+ service members don’t have that legal standing. They can’t leave property to their partner or ensure they’ll be allowed into an intensive care unit, or the morgue, or even make decisions about a shared child. For people serving on the front lines, this is not an abstract issue, it can be crucial.”

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news