On June 7, 2026, around 300 people gathered in central Lviv for LvivPride to say out loud:

“LGBTIQ+ people are, have always been, and will continue to be an integral part of Ukrainian society. We have the right to live safely, to have families, to be visible, and to enjoy equal rights under the law.”

The event consisted of two parts.

The first part — a traditional protest — focused on concerns regarding the draft of the new Civil Code, which fails to take into account the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. Activists chanted “No to the Civil Code” in response to a recent public statement by Mr. Stefanchuk that the new draft Civil Code would not expand the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, despite a coalition of expert organizations having already submitted 95 pages of amendments.

“We need concrete guarantees and clear legal terminology, recognition of civil partnerships, accountability for hate crimes, and a simplified procedure for legal gender recognition,” the organizers said.

The second part of the event was a traditional Ukrainian wedding. Activists emphasized that they want to change a system in which they are labeled “non-traditional” and separated from the rest of society, when in reality, LGBTIQ+ people, just like everyone else, pay taxes, study, work, defend Ukraine, and simply want to live their lives with equal access to basic rights.

The first lesbian wedding in Ukrainian Galicia included wedding vows, an exchange of rings, the placing of traditional floral wreaths, a first dance, and, of course, a communal celebration with dancing to Ukrainian folk music.

“True Ukrainian traditions and values are freedom, equality, love, respect, mutual support, and democracy. It is time to stop using morality and tradition as a cover for systemic discrimination and violence. We want to live in a free European country, and together we will do everything we can to make that happen,” said Olha Yashchenko, co-organizer of LvivPride.

In addition to independent activists, the KyivPride NGO, KharkivPride NGO, Insight NGO, Women’s March  NGO, and the student trade union Priama Diia joined in supporting the street action.

Organizers of the event: NGO “Feminist Workshop” with the support of NGO “Insight”.

Photos from the event: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yM-BOKF8XUWITT27YbttA1C4sFechHy7?usp=sharing