GAYS PERSECUTED IN UKRAINE : NO SAFE QUARTER
Being gay in Ukraine, or Russia for that matter, is a dangerous proposition. In Ukraine most gays do not wish to reveal their sexual orientation, for fear of persecution.
One of the greatest problem is that being gay is seen as a stigma, a taboo that brings shame to the family.
Being gay, in effect has been legalized since 1991. But the law has little effect against public reprisals.
Last year, an attempt at organizing a gay pride rally resulted in a vicious attack that left the organizer in critical condition.
A gay man last year was killed outside a club. However, there are no statutes against hate crimes, so that the charges were only brought for hooliganism.
Another gay pride parade is scheduled for this year, but as soon as the religious and conservative forces heard of the event, they mounted a fearsome calendar of event to promote morality and 'family values'.
Just last weekend, about 50 LBGT activists had to be protected by riot police when Orthodox Christians protesters wanted to lynch them. They had gathered under the statue of famous Russian poet Alecsander Pushkin. Some of the signs held by the Orthodox protesters read "Kiev is not Sodom" and "Gays bring AIDS to Ukraine".
One of the major issues is the stigma of AIDS. Ukraine is currently the nation with the fastest growing rate of HIV infection. Most of it is due to drugs and sexual transmission regardless of the sexual orientation.
What's worse, the orthodox groups are bringing proposals to the legislators that would ban propaganda of same-sex relationships, which basically would include any media publication of material that speaks about homosexuality or homesexual matters.
The state for its part refuses to pay one cent towards HIV prevention services, the most important measure to curb the steady increase of HIV mortality in Ukraine.
Only major engagement and courageous efforts from the LBGT community can reverse the civil rights losses in the Ukraine and promote a climate of tolerance.
Source : Al Jazeera 5.31.13
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