Kiev attack on Svyatoslav Sheremet.
Image: © Reuters; via All Out and The Daily Mail

A protest will take place outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin on Wednesday, 4th July at 6:30pm calling for an end to state sponsored homophobia in Ukraine.

The so-called ‘Homosexual Propaganda’ Bill currently being proposed in that country would ban even the most basic expressions of support for LGBT people and is an affront to human rights and dignity.

The protest is being and supported by several LGBT groups in Dublin.

According to information shared by Labour LGBT, and attributed to the Mykolayiv Association for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals (LiGA), one of the laws – Bill # 8711 – proposes:

1. To ban any production or publication of products promoting homosexuality;

2. To ban the use of media, TV or radio broadcasting for homosexuality promotion;

3. To ban printing or distribution publications promoting pornography, cult of violence and cruelty or homosexuality;

4. To ban import, production or distribution of creative writings, cinematography or video materials promoting homosexuality.

The other – Bill # 10290 – determines the forms of homosexuality promotion as follows:

1. holding meetings, parades, actions, pickets, demonstrations and other mass gatherings, which are directed to and/or are expressed in intentional dissemination of any positive information about homosexuality, which may negatively influence physical and mental health, moral and spiritual growth of children;

2. holding educational lessons, thematic conversations, interactive games, optional classes, other educational events on homosexuality;

3. messages, articles or appeals spreading in any form the call for homosexual lifestyle in mass media, which may negatively influence physical and mental health, moral and spiritual growth of children;

4. spreading information in any form about homosexuality or of the call for homosexual lifestyle in institution of general education, which may negatively influence physical and mental health, moral and spiritual growth of children.

In the same statement, dated 12th June 2012, LiGA also claim that if adopted the laws will introduce steep fines (up to 100 net minimum incomes or 300 net minimum incomes) or imprisonment up to five years for “homosexual propaganda”.

The organisation says:

Considering the abovementioned and to guarantee the rights of LGBT people in Ukraine, we urge European institutions and organizations to openly demonstrate your support and commitment and to take measures to protest the bills adoption. We propose to hold “Stop Homophobia in Ukraine” action in front of the buildings of Embassies of Ukraine in your states on July 2 or 3.

Recent weeks have seen reports of two vicious attacks on LGBT activists in the capital city, Kiev. In May, activists in Ukraine attempted the nation’s very first gay pride in Kiev. Minutes after cancelling due to safety concerns, Svyatoslav Sheremet, head of the Gay-Forum of Ukraine organisation was brutally beaten and stamped. Last week, Taras Karasiychuk, also of Gay Forum and an organiser of Kiev Pride, reported that he sustained a concussion and a fractured jaw during an attack by a group of unidentified assailants, who shouted homophobic insults at him.

• Protest details & info here
• Map to Embassy of the Ukraine here
• More information on what’s happening in Ukraine via ILGA-Europe