Kyiv Denies Underground Pride March Request Amid Russian Invasion
In a statement released on June 3, the Kyiv City Council turned down KyivPride’s request to hold the city’s first Pride march since 2021 in a metro subway system. The city cited security reasons, noting the metro’s role as an air raid shelter during Russian attacks, as reported by LGBTQ Nation.
“The city authorities cannot allow the Equality March to take place in the metro in order not to endanger the participants and passengers, and to avoid possible provocations,” Kyiv City Hall said via Telegram.
Officials emphasised the metro’s status as a “dual-use facility and part of the city’s critical infrastructure,” making it a high-risk area due to limited space, train schedules, and high passenger traffic. They asked organisers to choose another location for the event.
KyivPride drew inspiration from a similar demonstration held in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv’s metro in 2022. Last year, Liverpool, England hosted Kyiv’s Pride celebration in conjunction with the Eurovision Song Contest, as Ukraine was unable to host due to the ongoing war.
“Events like Pride are important to promote equality and human rights, but the subway’s dual-use as an air raid shelter made the location problematic,” said Mykola Povoroznyk, Kyiv’s first deputy mayor.
Since Russia’s invasion, which President Vladimir Putin claims is a fight against a nation infected with “degenerate” Western values, support for LGBTQIA+ people in Ukraine has grown significantly. According to the National Democratic Institute, support increased from 54% in 2022 to 72% in November 2023, compared to just 29% in 2019.
KyivPride and the city also refuted rumours that organisers wanted to shut down subway traffic and have the city pay for the event. Despite the location change, organisers are limiting attendance, with the venue and time only being announced to pre-registered and approved individuals.
