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Activists: Anti-Gay Sentiment Rising in Ukraine

Associated Press
Wednesday Jul 18, 2012
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Svyatoslav Sheremet, head of Ukraine’s Gay Forum
Svyatoslav Sheremet, head of Ukraine’s Gay Forum  (Source:AP Photo/Maria Danilova)

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Leaders of Ukraine’s gay community say homophobic violence and sentiment are on the rise in the country as the gay movement pushes for rights.

The community cancelled its first ever gay pride parade in the capital Kiev in May due to concerns that activists would be physically attacked by radical groups. After the cancellation, two gay leaders were still violently beaten.

Svyatoslav Sheremet, the head of Ukraine’s Gay Forum - one of the two leaders attacked - said Wednesday that there has been a spike in violence against homosexuals in Ukraine in recent months.

During a charity concert in Kiev last month, singer Elton John pleaded with Ukrainians to end violence against its gay community.

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Comments

  • Oh Jed said:, 2012-07-18 10:53:56

    Interesting how they don’t mind being entertained by gay people, but they don’t want to treat them with respect and dignity. Kind of reminds me of the "colored" thing not that many years ago. Sad.


  • Anonymous, 2012-07-18 13:27:09

    Totally agree with you; Kazaky came from the Ukraine and people there and across Eurooe love them. When giving these men rights it’s apparently out if the question


  • Anonymous, 2012-07-18 15:36:28

    Yeah got the European Union announced that countries which don’t protect the lgbt community won’t become part of the EU anymore.


  • Wayne M., 2012-07-19 20:02:21

    Yet I still hear of LGBT people, notably Gay men taking vacations and tours to Ukraine and other nations that discriminate against and even criminalize us. For the sake of our brothers and sisters in these nations, stay out of them until they change their laws and end homophobic practices.


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