Ukrainian President Zelensky Ordered The Government To Consider The Legalization Of Same-Sex Marriage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the government on Tuesday to investigate whether same-sex marriage should be legalized in the country. However, he also stated that it will not be possible to take any steps in this area as long as the war with Russia continues.

Zelensky announced this move in response to an online petition calling for the introduction of same-sex marriages. So far, almost 30,000 people have supported the petition with their signatures.

"I asked Prime Minister Shmyhal to assess the matter mentioned in the electronic petition and to inform me about the relevant decision," Zelensky said in his statement.

Breaking: #Ukraine may begin the official registration of same-sex marriages shortly. Responding to a petition launched by A. Sovenko, @ZelenskyyUa said that all citizens of #Ukraine enjoy equal rights and freedoms. The matter will now be scrutinized by 🇺🇦 PM @Denys_Shmyhal pic.twitter.com/2gGxqerybm

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) August 2, 2022

The Ukrainian president pointed out that in the Ukrainian constitution, marriage is defined as the union of a man and a woman. "During a state of war or state of emergency, it is not possible to change the Constitution of Ukraine," Zelensky emphasized.

"In the modern world, the level of a society's democracy is also measured on the basis of the state's policy aimed at ensuring equal rights for all its citizens," the Ukrainian president said in a statement.

Kyiv became more supportive of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community after pro-Western politicians took over the government in 2014. In 2015, the Ukrainian parliament banned discrimination against members of this community in the workplace, but has not yet legalized same-sex marriage.

According to a survey by the Rejtynh Sociological Institute from last August, 47 percent of Ukrainian respondents had a negative view of the LGBTQ+ community.