Standing with Ukraine’s LGBTQI+ Community and Other Vulnerable Groups as Conflict Escalates

Kyiv Pride March

March 2, 2022 – Last week, as Russian forces launched a brutal invasion of Ukraine, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden Administration to protect LGBTQI+ Ukrainians and members of other vulnerable groups now facing a direct threat from Russia. The letter, co-signed by 34 members of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, noted the urgency of the request, as the Kremlin’s long history of anti-LGBTQI+ policies and rhetoric likely foreshadow what Ukrainians would face if the nation’s sovereignty were lost.

According to one administration official, the U.S. has “directly engaged” with LGBTQI+ Ukrainians, members of religious and ethnic groups, persons with disabilities, independent journalists, anti-corruption activists, and others likely to be targeted should a pro-Russian regime be installed in Kyiv.

The official noted that:

“We have engaged directly with these populations to direct them to programs that offer emergency assistance to address relocation, medical expenses or other unexpected costs … And we have engaged with allies and partners to try to ensure that those who must flee Ukraine have somewhere to go.”

Shortly before the invasion, U.S. officials informed the United Nations that it had credible evidence that Russian intelligence was gathering lists of Ukrainians “to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.”  The letter, from U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Bathsheba Crocker, to Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted Russia’s post-invasion plans included torture, forced disappearances, “widespread suffering,” and the use of lethal force to suppress peaceful protests, and it included LGBTQ+ persons among the likely targets of the Russian military.  

The Council for Global Equality will continue to monitor the crisis and partner with Congressional and administration leaders to ensure that the U.S. response to the Russian invasion includes advocacy for the safety of LGBTQI+ Ukrainians and genuine inclusion in the humanitarian support for the millions of Ukrainian civilians trying to live through this war. We’ve joined advocacy groups and members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus in calling for temporary protected status (TPS) for Ukrainians in the United States and refugee support for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. And we also want to share that our partners at OutRight Action International and ILGA-Europe are raising funds to support LGBTQI+ Ukrainians both inside the country and fleeing to neighboring countries.

We proudly stand with the LGBTQI+ community and other vulnerable groups and democracy activists in Ukraine who are preparing for long-term resistance, and with LGBTQI+ groups in neighboring countries who are mobilizing support.

Read our news roundup here.

LGBTQI+ Support Funds:

OutRight Action International, “Donate to Support LGBTIQ Ukrainians”
ILGA Europe, “Support for LGBTI People in Ukraine”