Ukraine LGBT USAGM
Metadata
- Ukraine LGBT USAGM
- February 11, 2022
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script English FOR USAGM SHARE ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Ukraine LGBT TV)) HEADLINE: Problems Ahead for LGBT+ Ukrainians if Russia Invades TEASER: Progress on LGBT+ rights in Ukraine at risk if Russia attacks PUBLISHED AT: Friday, 02/11/2022 at: 12:15pm BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: Washington VIDEOGRAPHER/VIDEO EDITOR: Veronica Balderas Iglesias PRODUCER: SCRIPT EDITORS: Tom Detzel, BR VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Agencies, other (see script) PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __ TRT: 3:20 VID APPROVED BY: MAS TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: UPDATE: Radio Tracks for reversioning included.)) ((TV INTRO:)) [[Ukraine’s LGBT+ community is on high alert in the face of a potential Russian invasion. Under President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, they enjoy free speech and assembly protections, but fear discrimination if Ukraine falls under Moscow’s authority. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.]] ((WEB LEAD:)) [[The Ukrainian LGBT+ community is on high alert in the face of a potential Russian invasion. Under President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, they enjoy free speech and assembly protections, but fear discrimination if Ukraine falls under Moscow’s authority. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.]] ((Mandatory cg: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)) In contrast to Soviet times, pride marches have been held in Ukraine since 2015. Police escorts are present thanks to President’s Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, which backs free speech and assembly for the LGBT plus community. But the threat of a Russian invasion endangers that progress, says Freedom House. [[RADIO INTRO: Karissa Jackson is the organization’s Senior program officer on the Dignity for All Emergency Assistance program.]] ((Mandatory cg: SKYPE)) ((Karissa Jackson, Freedom House Program Officer)) “Russia is one of the most repressive countries in the Eurasia region when it comes to LGBT plus rights. Legal persecution, intimidation, kidnapping, murders even and other threats. Further occupation of Ukraine could be devastating for these communities.” ((Mandatory cg: Kasian/Levdik)) ((NARRATOR)) LGBT+ activists in Kyiv don’t plan to remain idle. [[RADIO INTRO: Tymur Levchuk is the Executive Director of the NGO Fulcrum]] ((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory cg: SKYPE)) ((Tymur Levchuk, LGBT NGO Fulcrum Executive Director)) “Many LGBT and me want to join ‘territorial defense.’ It’s a group of people who are ready to protect our country. But these people are not military.” ((NARRATOR)) Even if war is averted, ((Mandatory cg: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)) freedoms for the LGBT+ in Ukraine are limited ((Mandatory cg: Insight NGO)) says activist Olena Shevchenko. She says tensions with Russia have overshadowed ((Mandatory cg: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)) the LGBT push for equality an uphill battle in Ukraine’s Parliament. ((Mandatory cg: SKYPE)) ((Olena Shevchenko/Insight NGO Chair)) “We are struggling to receive anti-discrimination laws, hate-crime laws, and then of course the marriage equality. Last year for instance, that’s more than 52 documented cases about the hate crimes towards LGBTQI people.” ((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory cg: Collegium Intermarium/YouTUBE logo)) While denouncing discrimination, Sviatoslav Yurash, who co-chairs the “Values, Dignity, Family Group” in Ukraine’s Parliament, has reservations about laws against hate-crime. ((Mandatory cg: SKYPE)) ((Sviatoslav Yurash, Ukrainian Member of Parliament)) “I see the extremes of introducing so-called hate crime legislation and the result of that. That is something that infringes fundamentally on what freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience association, and that’s not something I want to see. ((NARRATOR)) The power of religious groups can’t be underestimated, especially when it comes to legalizing same-sex marriage. ((Mandatory cg: SKYPE)) ((Sviatoslav Yurash, Ukrainian Parliament Member)) “Churches basically will be the instructor for this debate because they are very much the progenitors of the idea of the institution of marriage.” ((NARRATOR)) During a vigil in Washington, Ukrainian Catholic Church representatives said there is room for dialogue on LGBT rights – if there is peace in Ukraine. ((Rev. Mark Morozowich, Ukrainian Catholic Church Priest)) “We need Putin to stop his aggression and withdraw one hundred thousand troops in front of Ukraine so that the country can evolve and develop. Without that peace/ there’s no possibility of anybody to develop any real discourse.” ((NARRATOR)) Rachael Iwanczuk identifies as a transgender female and has distant relatives in Ukraine. She hopes peace will prevail and encourages Ukraine’s LGBT+ community to keep fighting. ((Rachael Iwanczuk, Urban Planner)) “Even here in America there are so many state legislatures that are either resisting or trying to roll back rights that have been granted to the LGBT community. ((Mandatory cg: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)) And it’s just important to keep an eye on what is going on and to keep pressuring legislators and government.” ((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, for VOA News, Washington))
- NewsML Media Topics Lifestyle and Leisure, Human Interest
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date February 11, 2022 12:31 EST
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English