Will LGBTI emancipation in Ukraine be reversed if Russia takes over the country? With that question, photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien left for Lviv two weeks ago. The acceptance of this group has increased in Ukraine in recent years, she heard from the gay couples, drag queens, non-binary and trans people she spoke to. Partly because President Zelensky called for it. “It is a country that wants to belong to Europe,” says Njiokiktjien on the phone on the way back to the Netherlands. “That includes modern changes, such as same-sex marriage.”
Although it has improved in recent years, it was not easy for gay and trans people in Ukraine even before the war. None of the people Njiokiktjien spoke to dared to walk down the street hand in hand with a partner. And same-sex marriage is prohibited.
Tamara Khrustalova (43) and Natalia Kravchenko (46) are in a relationship and live with two sons, ages 11 and 12. But they don’t even dare to tell their children that they are lesbian. “They are afraid that the children will pass this on to school and that parents will judge them for it,” says Njiokiktjien.
The twelve LGBT people the photographer spoke to have little confidence that Ukraine will become a member of the European Union. Since the invasion of Russia, they say, their future in Ukraine is hopeless. President Putin is an open gay hater. “Some want to stay and fight for their country, but others beg me for help in getting a non-Ukrainian passport so they can start a new life elsewhere in Europe,” says Njiokiktjien.
Leaving Ukraine is especially a problem for trans women, such as Sasha (21, does not want to use her last name in the newspaper). Although she lives as a woman, her passport still contains the ‘M’ for man, and men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country. Sasha recently started hormone therapy. “Her appearance is starting to change, but not so quickly. So when she gets through customs, they may think she’s a man,” Njiokiktjien said. Still, Sasha will try to leave the country this week.
The situation is even more dire for drag queen Denys Kratt (48). As a well-known drag queen, he performed during the Pride in Amsterdam. In 2015, a year after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, he said on stage at Kiev Pride that Crimea belonged to Ukraine. “And if the Russians were to leave Crimea, he wanted to celebrate by organizing a Pride there,” said Njiokiktjien. These statements have haunted him for years. They just keep popping up in Ukrainian and Russian media.
Just before the war started, the US says Russia has drawn up a death list for Ukrainians of dissent, including those who stand up for gay rights. Kratt is “100 percent” sure that he is on it, says the photographer. This cannot be verified for NRC. “He says he is really not safe and has to leave the country. But as a 44-year-old Ukrainian man, this is not possible now.”
So Kratt now lives with his friend in a converted restaurant that houses LGBTI people and also acts as a distribution point for relief supplies. There are two security guards at the entrance.
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