‘Constantly pursued’: Ukraine’s LGBT+ activists attacked online and in the street

 | 
08/03/2021

For days, death threats and homophobic insults have been pouring into Sofiia Lapina’s messaging inbox – a constant reminder of the hatred she often encounters as an LGBT+ rights activist in Ukraine. Members of a far-right channel on the Telegram messaging app published Lapina’s phone number last month, and – following a series of recent attacks on the LGBT+ community – she is on edge. Some people have tracked down her address, too. “They photographed my balcony, the entrance to my building, and they’ve been sending it all to me,” she said. “It’s difficult to sleep, knowing that people have declared (they are hunting) you.” Ukraine legalised gay sex in 1991, but conservative elements in the mainly Orthodox Christian nation often speak out against rights for LGBT+ people, and members of the far-right regularly target groups and events linked to the community.

Regions: ,

Share this:

Latest Global News

Added on: 04/18/2024
04/17/2024
The Scottish government are set to introduce a bill to address prejudice and violence against women and girls – which rightly includes trans women and girls …
Added on: 04/18/2024
04/17/2024
Following a travel warning issued for LGBTQ+ tourists in Greece, these are the European countries that are most welcoming to queer people. When same-sex …
Added on: 04/18/2024
04/17/2024
Anti-LGBTQ bills and new laws are spreading around the world, including in several African nations and the former Soviet republic of Belarus. The proposed or …

Explore LGBTQ+ Issues

Other News from ,

Added on: 04/18/2024
The Scottish government are set to introduce a bill to address prejudice and violence against women and girls – which rightly includes trans women and girls …
Added on: 04/18/2024
Following a travel warning issued for LGBTQ+ tourists in Greece, these are the European countries that are most welcoming to queer people. When same-sex …
Added on: 04/18/2024
Anti-LGBTQ bills and new laws are spreading around the world, including in several African nations and the former Soviet republic of Belarus. The proposed or …