On this International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, we reaffirm a principle at the heart of both Ukraine and the United Nations Charter: every person, in all their diversity, is entitled to live free from discrimination, violence and fear. Recent rollbacks of protections for vulnerable groups in many parts of the world remind us that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed; that it is up to each of us to uphold everyone’s rights. 

The Russian full-scale invasion has intensified existing inequalities. Forced displacement, disrupted services and wartime trauma have exposed lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people—alongside women, persons with disabilities, older persons and ethnic minorities — to heightened risks of gender-based violence and shrinking access to life-saving care.

Over the past 3 years, LGBTQI+ organisations in Ukraine have become indispensable humanitarian partners. Grass-roots centres support with legal aid, medical supplies, and psychological support to displaced LGBTQI+ people; and local LGBTQI+ groups have led on a joint roadmap that are now helping to guide UN agencies and NGOs in designing truly inclusive assistance, ensuring efforts reach those who need it most. 

The Government of Ukraine has been taking steps toward greater LGBTQI+ inclusion — including supporting the development of a civil partnership framework and considering legislation to recognize same-sex couples. Building on this momentum, there is opportunity for growing support for further progress, including the adoption of legal protections against hate speech and violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem, reminds us, “LGBTQIA+ people deserve full enjoyment of their equal rights just like all others… During conflicts and crises, their rights may be overlooked and their unique needs for protection and health care can go unmet.”

UNFPA is committed to and calls for ensuring that humanitarian and recovery responses are inclusive and staffed by personnel trained to meet the specific needs of all, including LGBTQI+ people; as well as the need to strengthen partnerships with local civil-society organisations to make certain no one is left invisible.

On this day, let us renew our collective resolve to ensure no one is left behind. By upholding the rights and bodily autonomy of every individual — especially those most at risk — we strengthen the social fabric that Ukraine and its partners seek to protect. In standing together for equality, freedom and justice, we help secure a future worthy of the dignity we all defend.