Religious processions banned – gay parades allowed

Gay pride parade in Kyiv in 2021. Photo: Ukrinform

The authorities have announced a gay parade in central Kyiv. They urged people to show understanding over street closures and transport restrictions, and to “respect the rights and freedoms of other people.” “It is respect for human dignity, diversity, and every person’s right to be themselves that are the values Ukraine is fighting for today,” the Kyiv City State Administration stated.

Now it is worth recalling that since 2022, the annual nationwide religious processions of the UOC have not been held in Kyiv, because the law “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law” prohibits “peaceful assemblies, rallies, marches, and demonstrations.”

Yet the capital regularly hosts concerts attended by thousands, and in tiny Uman, tens of thousands of Jews gather for their celebrations. And now – a gay parade.

Just yesterday, government representatives were assuring everyone that Ukraine is a Christian state and were demonstratively grieving over the Russian strike on the “shrine of the entire Orthodox world.” But those are only words. In reality, the authorities “respect rights, freedom, and human dignity” for many: Jews, pop and rock music fans, and now homosexuals. Once again, we see that Orthodox Christians are not among them.

All Ukrainians are equal, but some Ukrainians are more equal than others.

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