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The new bill is an updated version of draft law No. 5488, withdrawn in July, and adapted to the provisions of the Criminal and Administrative Codes as of 2025.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.
Read also
Pope prays with Anglican female bishop, calls Christians to unity
Leo XIV received Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally at the Vatican and said divisions must be overcome.
OCU spokesman: St. Nicholas did not take part in First Ecumenical Council
Zoria called the participation of St. Nicholas of Myra in the Council of Nicaea a product of later perception – saying the saint was “definitely not there.”
Hungary nationalizes UGCC monastery and hands it over to local Uniates
Hungarian authorities nationalized the UGCC monastery in Máriapócs and transferred it to a Hungarian Greek Catholic structure, evicting the Basilians.
UGCC holds “Pochaiv Readings” to “find the truth” about Lavra
The Ternopil-Zboriv Archeparchy of the UGCC organized the second international conference on the history of the Pochaiv Monastery in Zarvanytsia, with scholars from three countries taking part.
Czech court halts ratification of Vatican treaty over seal of confession
The constitutional body declared the agreement with the Holy See unlawful, viewing Catholic privileges as a violation of religious equality.
UOC faithful make pilgrimage to holy sites of Georgia
Pilgrims from the Mukachevo Eparchy and other regions of Ukraine venerated the greatest shrines of Iveria.