Ukrainian LGBTQIA+ Protesters to Throw Rave in Kyiv Outside Presidents Office

The Kyiv Post reported activists are planning a rave right outside the Ukrainian president’s office in the nation’s capital Kyiv to support LGBTQIA+ rights.

The protesters plan to bring a sound system, DJs, and a stage to place outside President Zelensky’s office on the 30th of July 2021, where they will party in support of rights for Queer people in Ukraine.

One of the co-founders of Ukraine Pride [Sofia Lapina] spoke to the Kyiv Post:

“Rave Pride is the real face of the queer community and the youth of Ukraine today.”

Sofia continued to say:

“Advocacy is any action that shines a light on the violations of a person’s rights, and UkrainePride is looking for the most diverse and most creative ways to do that.” 

“The word ‘rave’ comes from the word ‘noise,’ and I believe the protest needs to be noisy so that people pay attention.”

Ukraine has regularly witnessed violence towards the LGBTQIA+ community, especially from far-right movements aiming to harm protestors. At present Ukrainian law does not regard attacks against queer people as hate crimes, resulting in little to no retribution towards those who commit violence towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sofia Lapina responded to hate messages received on social media by saying:

“At Rave Pride, we are going to play loud music in the middle of the workday at the President’s Office so that the authorities can finally hear us, the same authorities who pretend that nothing is happening, that there are no hate crimes.”

DJs who will perform at the protest rave include Nastia, Katro Zauber, and Gael Abakarova.