The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus urged the Ukrainian government today to take measures to safeguard the celebration of LGBT Pride in Odessa this month.
“On behalf of the LGBT Equality Caucus, I commend the leadership of Ukraine for actions taken to ensure that Kiev’s Pride celebrations were able to take place in an atmosphere of safety and respect, and urge the Ukrainian government to take similar measures to ensure the safety of Odessa Pride participants,” said LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-01). “Celebration of LGBT Pride honors our identities and community and serves as a connection point for LGBT people everywhere. The June 12th murder of 49 LGBT community members at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando drove home the importance of being able to celebrate Pride in a safe place. Therefore, the success of Odessa Pride this August, as well as the safety of its participants, is of the utmost importance to us.”
UKRINFORM reported that Cyril Bodelan, press-secretary of the Odessa Pride organizing committee said, “On Thursday we have applied to the Odessa City Council to hold a street protest in the framework of the Festival of Queer Culture Aug. 13” OdesaPrayd2016 “, which will take place August 10-14. Preparing to conduct our human rights march on a street in the city, which had been agreed with the mayor’s office. We hope to bring a new level of dialogue on human rights and countering discrimination against vulnerable groups in society.”
In a better world, there would be no need for armed security at Gay Pride events anywhere. But we have to deal with type of world that we have. Eastern Europe has a great deal of homophobia and the gay rights movement is still in it’s beginning in those countries. While the movement grows, paid security guards can be used to help keep people safe if the police cannot or will not. Gay rights activists should learn how to protect themselves. Not just with martial arts and sticks, but with guns too. We must learn to rely mostly on ourselves. Police cannot be everywhere always. Also, it cannot hurt to pray for protection at the beginning of each parade or each event. It wouldn’t hurt. Stay safe.