Historic first: Ukrainian Appeals Court recognizes gay marriage as legal

Gay couple in the Kyiv Court of Appeal. Photo: informator.ua

On September 10, 2025, the Kyiv Court of Appeal reviewed a complaint regarding the recognition of Ukraine’s first gay marriage. The complaint was rejected, and the judges upheld the decision of the Desnianskyi District Court, which had established the fact of two men living together as one “family,” Informator reports with reference to the organization Insight.

Thus, the existence of marital relations between them was recognized.

“We are very happy about this decision. This is a step forward for the entire LGBTQ+ community,” the organization stated.

According to them, this ruling allegedly brings Ukraine closer to “equality.” They also promised to continue working so that “every family, regardless of its composition, receives proper protection and recognition.”

Informator writes that one of the men is a diplomat. He requested permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his partner to accompany him abroad but was denied on the grounds of no legal recognition of their union. The men had entered into an official “marriage” in the United States in 2021.

As the UOJ earlier reported, in June 2025 the Desnianskyi District Court of Kyiv issued an unprecedented decision that could radically change the concept of family in Ukraine. The court officially recognized the existence of “de facto marital relations” between two men – both Ukrainian citizens.

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