04/12/2013 | Writer: Ömer Akpınar
Olena Shevchenko of the LGBT organization Insight in Kiev told kaosGL.org about the demonstrations in Ukraine and the place of LGBTs.
Ukrainian capital Kiev has seen huge protests starting on the night of November 21. Following the government announced that it suspended preparations for signing a free trade agreement with the EU started demonstrations now called as Euromaidan (Євромайдан). Joined by many university students, the police brutality on November 30 raises concerns about the democracy in the country.
Olena Shevchenko of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) organization Insight in Kiev told kaosGL.org about the demonstrations in Ukraine and the place of LGBTs.
"Rights are not given, they are taken!"
Turkish people follow what’s going on in Kiev with excitement especially after the Gezi Park protests. It is mostly portrayed as a clash between those who support the EU and the rest who cling to Russia. Can you give us more insight into the demands of protestors?
In the beginning of the protests, it was mostly about changing an official vector of Ukraine from Euro Integration to Russia’s Customs Union. People felt they were betrayed by the government. However, after the police (Berkut) violence on November 30, people took the streets with other demands such as new elections, resigning of Cabinet of Ministries and the President. It was the last point of patience when all tired of corruption, violence and injustice decided to go to the streets.
Turkish media failed a big test considering its coverage of the protests in Turkey but they are good at covering the protests in other countries. How is the Ukrainian media doing its job? Can we talk about an independent media in Ukraine?
Well, I can tell, that it really depend on regions of Ukraine and on owners of media. In many regions, mostly Eastern, all alternative coverage is blocked. Communication between the protesters is mostly made by social networks. Talking about TV channels, I can say that in Kiev and Western regions the protests are well represented, so people can see independent point of view.
The Gezi Park protests helped LGBT people a lot for visibility. How did the protests there affect LGBT people to make their demands be heard? Is it a safe environment for LGBTs to join?No, it’s not safe at all. There are many ultra-right wing groups, who are violent towards LGBTs. It is also a popular view that all symbols except the Ukrainian and EU flags will be considered as provocation. The Government also made a provocation on November 27. They gathered 50 homeless people, paid them 50 UAH (about 5 Euros) and gave rainbow flags to them to make a provocation. Those people were beaten and the flags destroyed. That’s why LGBT people protest without rainbow symbols in Ukraine.
Russia’s ban on “the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships” drew international criticism and it is kind of spreading to other countries. Do you think that homosexuality is used in arguments against the West and who is benefiting from them?
Yes, it is the main argument coming from Russia. In metro stations they put posters that read: Association with the EU means same-sex marriages. In Ukraine we have 2 similar laws banning the “propaganda” of homosexuality pending in Ukrainian Parliament. One of them had been voted in the first reading. So, it means, if Ukraine will go to Russian side, those laws will be adopted.
Tags: life
