A new bill in support of gender and LGBT rights submitted to the Rada

Gay pride parade in Kyiv. Photo: Yan Dobronosov

On August 4, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada registered draft law No. 13597 “On Amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code of Ukraine Regarding the Fight Against Manifestations of Discrimination.” The bill was initiated by MP Olena Shuliak of the Servant of the People party and signed by 32 members of parliament.

The new bill is an updated version of draft law No. 5488, withdrawn in July, and adapted to the provisions of the Criminal and Administrative Codes as of 2025. The previous bill was removed from consideration on July 17 following the resignation of Denys Shmyhal’s government.

The document amends the Criminal Code to include crimes committed on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

In the explanatory note, Shuliak states that “the bill clarifies the definition of the term ‘discrimination’ set out in paragraph 2, part one, Article 1 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Principles of Preventing and Combating Discrimination in Ukraine.’ In particular, it expands the list of grounds on which discrimination may occur by adding such grounds as sexual orientation and gender identity.”

According to Shuliak, the bill was developed with the participation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is one of the conditions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. “This is not only a European requirement but also a Ukrainian necessity. It is a tradition of Ukraine to protect those who are in the minority,” Shuliak emphasized.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a gay pride parade was held in Kyiv, at which homosexuals demanded the adoption of a bill in support of LGBT rights.

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