Kyïv is governed by federal Ukraine law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- Varies by Region
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Same-sex marriage in Kyïv is banned.
Current status
Since Aug 2, 2022
Banned
The Ukraine Constitution written in 1996 defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. However, the country’s president Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s government may allow civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the future.
Banned
In June of 2018, the Ukraine justice ministry said that there is no legal grounds in Ukraine currently for same-sex marriage.
Deputy Justice Minister Natalia Bernatska has said, "To date, no draft laws or government decisions regarding the legalization of same-sex partnerships in civilian or other forms have been developed."
In August 2022, the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s government may allow civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the future.
Deputy Justice Minister Natalia Bernatska has said, "To date, no draft laws or government decisions regarding the legalization of same-sex partnerships in civilian or other forms have been developed."
In August 2022, the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s government may allow civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the future.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Kyïv is varies by region.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2022
Varies by Region
When Russia invaded Ukraine, it enforced it’s penal code in it’s occupied territory, such as the massive restrictions of expression lgbtq+ people face in the country
Right to change legal gender in Kyïv is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2016
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since December 2016, new identity documents are issued before surgery is conducted. This followed an August 2016 ruling which ordered changes requested by two transgender people to their passports and all other documents without requiring them to undergo surgery. Transgender individuals who are married or have an underage child can also apply for transition. Previously, all applicants needed permission from a special commission of the Ministry of Healthcare, had to spend 30 days in a psychiatric hospital (usually placed in the same wards with patients considered "mentally ill"), and needed to be "diagnosed with transsexuality"; this is no longer required.
Legal, but requires surgery
Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
Until Apr 5, 1972
Illegal
Legal gender change is impossible
Gender-Affirming Care in Kyïv is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2005
Legal
In 2005, Ukraine adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
Restricted for minors
In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy
Restricted
In 1926, the Soviet Union's Ministry of Internal Affairs legalized sex reassignment surgery
Until 1926
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Kyïv is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Ukraine does not legally recognize a non-binary gender on official documents.
LGBT employment discrimination in Kyïv is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Nov 12, 2015
Sexual orientation and gender identity
The Ukraine parliament voted to change the country's labor code to include protection against employment discrimination regardless of "race, colour, political, religious and other beliefs, sex gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic, social and foreign origin, age, health, disability, or suspected presence of HIV/AIDS, family and property status, family responsibilities, place of residence, or participation in a strike."
LGBT housing discrimination in Kyïv is no protections.
Current status
Since Nov 12, 2015
No protections
like in Poland, Protections in Ukraine are unfortunatley highly limited
Serving openly in military in Kyïv is legal.
Current status
Since 2022
Legal
All able-bodied male citizens from ages 20–27, must serve either 18 months in the navy or one year in all other services. After serving out the term of service Ukraine's conscripts become part of the inactive reserve and are eligible to be recalled for mobilization until they reach age 55 or age 60 for officers.
According to law, homosexuality is not a reason for exemption from the army. However, many young gay men try to avoid call-up to military service, as they are afraid to face unauthorized relations and other difficulties. In 2018, Viktor Pylypenko, who had served in the Donbass area for two years during the Russia–Ukraine war, became the first Ukrainian soldier to come out publicly. In 2019, several gay soldiers in the Ukrainian army participated in a photo exhibition called "We are here". In 2021, Pylypenko was trying to organize a special unit in the Ukrainian army for LGBT soldiers.[42] In July 2021, Pylypenko stated there were 16 open LGBT soldiers in the Ukrainian army.
The 2022 Russian invasion resulted in an increased influx of openness and acceptance regarding LGBTQ soldiers in the Ukrainian military. A growing number of soldiers disclosed their identity, believing that they could fight not just for their home country but also against existing stereotypes. The invasion also saw the spread of "unicorn insignia" which Ukrainian LGBTQ soldiers sew onto their uniforms. The unicorn was chosen due to its nature as "fantastic 'non-existent' creature", sarcastically countering claims about there being no LGBT+ individuals in the Ukrainian military.
According to law, homosexuality is not a reason for exemption from the army. However, many young gay men try to avoid call-up to military service, as they are afraid to face unauthorized relations and other difficulties. In 2018, Viktor Pylypenko, who had served in the Donbass area for two years during the Russia–Ukraine war, became the first Ukrainian soldier to come out publicly. In 2019, several gay soldiers in the Ukrainian army participated in a photo exhibition called "We are here". In 2021, Pylypenko was trying to organize a special unit in the Ukrainian army for LGBT soldiers.[42] In July 2021, Pylypenko stated there were 16 open LGBT soldiers in the Ukrainian army.
The 2022 Russian invasion resulted in an increased influx of openness and acceptance regarding LGBTQ soldiers in the Ukrainian military. A growing number of soldiers disclosed their identity, believing that they could fight not just for their home country but also against existing stereotypes. The invasion also saw the spread of "unicorn insignia" which Ukrainian LGBTQ soldiers sew onto their uniforms. The unicorn was chosen due to its nature as "fantastic 'non-existent' creature", sarcastically countering claims about there being no LGBT+ individuals in the Ukrainian military.
Blood donations by MSMs in Kyïv is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2016
Legal
No deferral.
Conversion therapy in Kyïv is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
No laws outlawing this practice.
Equal age of consent in Kyïv is equal.
Current status
Since Sep 1, 2001
Equal
Age of consent is equal at 16 years old.