Dear Mr. Maymulakhin,
What is Nash Svit’s mission and vision? The main project? The main objectives?
Nash Svit appeared in the late 1990s as a group of LGBTQ enthusiasts who saw opportunities to change and radically improve the situation for LGBTQ people in Ukrainian society within the processes of its democratization, liberalization, and modernization started after gaining independence by Ukraine. In the course of our activity, we have eventually decided to focus on the protection of the LGBTQ community from discrimination and violence with legal assistance and advocacy for necessary political and legislative reforms. Now, we can see the positive changes that already happened in these issues In Ukraine and even more hopeful for the future, when LGBTQ people will be able to live in our country without fear and discrimination.
How is LGBTIQ+ activism possible in times of war, attacks and Russian aggression?
It is quite difficult just to survive under everyday threats to your safety and the very life, but all Ukraine is living, fighting, and developing. The war creates both challenges and opportunities for fast and radical modernization of the Ukrainian state and society: “What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
Please describe briefly how the situation for LGBTIQ+ in Ukraine has changed since the Russian aggression began?
The war caused harsh physical and psychological suffering to all Ukrainian people including LGBTQ yet in the same time it has finally defined its geopolitical choice by very simple and inevitable dilemma: to become a part of the modern free world or to cease existing. Aggression by the main worldwide provider of homo/transphobia and crucial help by liberal democracies make even quite conservative Ukrainians to change their opinions on LGBTQ issues towards modern liberal views. Obtaining candidacy to the EU by Ukraine created new opportunities and powerful tools for advocacy on protection of LGBTQ people’s rights. Never the social and political climate in Ukraine were that positive for the LGBTQ community as it arose after the beginning of the Russian invasion.
One of the most significant achievements in recent years was the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of “Maymulakhin and Markiv v. Ukraine”. For the first time, the ECHR recognized that the Ukrainian state violated the rights of a same-sex couple by failing to provide legally recognized relationships. This decision became a precedent and a powerful argument in our advocacy for the legalization of same-sex partnerships. It demonstrated that our years of work can have a real impact on changing the system.
What is most needed? For what projects and aims does Nash Svit need funding for?
During those dire times Nash Svit is struggling to maintain its core activities and to support and preserve its monitoring network of experienced and skilled activists who collect for us trustworthy data used in advocacy and helps the victims of violence and discrimination to obtain legal aid.
Especially I want to highlight the sharp reduction in available funding sources in 2025. After Donald Trump came to power in the United States, U.S. policy toward LGBTQ changed dramatically, and our funding was terminated. It had catastrophic consequences for our ability to help people. For example, in May we were unable to provide legal assistance to a transgender woman who was the victim of a transphobic attack in one of Kyiv’s clubs. Already at the stage of filing a complaint with the police, she faced distrust and secondary discrimination. Such cases require professional support, because without a lawyer it is nearly impossible to obtain justice — and this requires financial resources.
What gives you hope? What would you want queer people around the world to understand about your reality right now — and what international solidarity means to you?
The rising wave of rightist populism in the world demonstrates the need for international solidarity and mutual support in defending the achievements of liberal democracy. We in Ukraine are fighting not just for freedom for themselves – we are fighting for the modern nation which strengthen freedom and democracy in Europe and worldwide. Without your help, we would fail. Without us you would be weaker.
What is your vision for the future? What will it look like in five years?
The Russian aggression left Ukraine without choice: it needs rapid and radical modernization or there will not be Ukraine at all. Now we see in Ukraine both the fundamental positive changes in public opinion on LGBTQ issues and declarations of the government to implement all necessary reforms to become a full-fledged member of the European Union. It is quite realistic to expect that post-war Ukraine will join the Baltic countries as the most liberal and developed of post-Soviet nations.
In conclusion, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to LSVD for your solidarity and support in difficult times. This support was especially important at the beginning of the full-scale war, when our office in Kyiv was destroyed. Thanks to you, we received more than 23,000 euros — these funds helped us survive, retain our team, and continue our work. We felt real support and attention to our situation — and that became a powerful source of moral and practical strength.
Thank you for this Interview!
We forward all donations directly to Nash Svit in Kyiv; our colleagues keep us updated on the impact of their vital work.