The struggle of the queer community in Ukraine takes place on many frontlines: Its fight against the Russian invader is not only one against occupation but also one for personal freedom and against potential prosecution under a Russian occupying regime. Many members of the Ukrainian LGBTIQ+ community have therefore decided to take up arms and fight the aggressor. Meanwhile, they are confronted with prejudices and discrimination within their own society.
For his article, titled “Unicorn Battalion,” DocU grantee and renowned photographer Sasha Maslov visited the 2024 Kyiv Pride, met with various military service members on the frontlines, and reported on their experiences as defenders of a free Ukraine.
The title of Maslov’s project is inspired by an initiative of the LGBT Military Union, an organization fighting for the rights of queer members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As a statement of unity, the LGBT Military Union created a patch for queer military service members featuring a unicorn. The founder and spokesperson of the initiative is Viktor Pylypenko. He is familiar with the hardships openly queer people face in the Ukrainian Army and knows their stories of coming out as well as their reasons for staying closeted.
Among the many brave, openly queer activists in the Ukrainian Army is Maria Volia, who as early as 2014 was campaigning for the right of women to be assigned to the front; she herself has actively fought in the army since the age of 22. In June 2024, Sasha Maslov met with Maria, on leave at the time, at the Kyiv Pride parade, where she opened up about her journey of personal and professional struggle.
Also interviewed are Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun and military serviceman Petro Zhyrukha, who advocate for a bill granting equal rights and protection to non-heterosexual couples––a matter which is especially pressing in times of war. Many are frustrated with state authorities that only half-heartedly conduct surveys on the discrimination of LGBTQ people in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, members of the queer community experience many forms of discrimination in the army. Among them are Henadzi, a Belarusian man fighting in the International Legion for Ukraine and proudly wearing the Unicorn patch, and Pavlo, who after coming out faced exclusion from his own family as well as bullying and harassment within the army.
More encouraging are the experiences of Antonina and Oleksandr, who served in the army as an openly queer couple and were met with understanding and acceptance by their fellow soldiers and Senior sergeant.
It is this tolerance which Anna is fighting for. Like many others, Anna, an LGBTIQ+ activist from Kharkiv and medic in the army, encounters open homophobia and many right-wing positions in the military. However, she never shies away from arguments on the topic of LGBTIQ+ rights with her fellow military service members. In her discussions, she is confronted with animosity but also manages to joke around with fellow soldiers who oppose her views. After all, they are united in their fight against Russian aggression and for a democratic and independent Ukraine. As one of Anna’s discussion partners acknowledges, pointing to the battle map in their headquarters, "This is the only thing that matters now.”
See Sasha Maslov’s full report in English here and in Ukrainian here.
Photo Credit: Sasha Maslov
