Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his support for a bill that seeks to introduce civil partnerships in the country, a move seen as a significant step toward recognising the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay men. The announcement was made during a session with university students and has been captured in a video released by “Mirror of the Week,” a Ukrainian news outlet.
The proposed legislation addresses the legal standing of same-sex couples, a matter of special relevance to Ukrainian military personnel, many of whom are unable to formalise their relationships due to existing legal constraints. Authored by a group of deputies and submitted to the Ukrainian parliament in March of the previous year, the bill has garnered backing from various legislative committees focused on national health and related issues.
While the bill does not equate registered civil partnerships with marriage, it does grant partners the same status as immediate family members. Proponents of this legislative change contend that it would enhance legal protections and rights for same-sex couples, aligning Ukraine with broader Eurointegration efforts and bolstering its image on the international stage.
The move has been welcomed by advocates of LGBTQ+ rights as a potential milestone in expanding the legal recognition of diverse relationships in Ukraine. If enacted, the legislation could alleviate some of the challenges faced by military personnel whose partnerships have previously gone unrecognised legally.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://kyivindependent.com/verkhovna-rada-committee-supports-draft-bill-on-civil-partnerships-for-same-sex-couples/ – Corroborates the support of the Verkhovna Rada committee for the draft law on civil partnerships and the rights it would grant to same-sex couples.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Ukraine – Provides context on the current legal status of same-sex unions in Ukraine, the constitutional barriers, and the government’s efforts to introduce civil partnerships.
- https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-parliamentary-committee-supports-draft-law-on-civil-partnerships-for-same-sex-couples-50441703.html – Details the endorsement of the draft law by the Parliamentary Committee on National Health, Medical Assistance, and Medical Insurance and the implications for same-sex couples.
- https://cepa.org/article/love-in-a-time-of-war/ – Discusses the importance of civil partnerships for LGBT+ military personnel and the broader societal impact, highlighting the urgency and support from various ministries.
- https://visitukraine.today/blog/2780/draft-law-on-civil-partnerships-what-it-is-and-what-it-will-regulate – Explains the details of the draft law on civil partnerships, its differences from marriage, and its alignment with European Convention on Human Rights obligations.
- https://kyivindependent.com/verkhovna-rada-committee-supports-draft-bill-on-civil-partnerships-for-same-sex-couples/ – Supports the information that the bill was submitted to the Ukrainian parliament in March 2023 and has received support from several parliamentary committees.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Ukraine – Clarifies that the bill does not equate registered civil partnerships with marriage but grants partners the same status as immediate family members.
- https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-parliamentary-committee-supports-draft-law-on-civil-partnerships-for-same-sex-couples-50441703.html – Highlights the support from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ministry of Justice for introducing civil partnerships, aligning with Eurointegration efforts.
- https://cepa.org/article/love-in-a-time-of-war/ – Discusses the challenges faced by military personnel due to the lack of legal recognition of their relationships and how civil partnerships could alleviate these issues.
- https://visitukraine.today/blog/2780/draft-law-on-civil-partnerships-what-it-is-and-what-it-will-regulate – Details the legal protections and rights that the proposed legislation would provide to same-sex couples, including property rights and inheritance.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Ukraine – Mentions the cultural and societal context, including the growing conversation around LGBT issues and the push for broader acceptance within Ukrainian society.
