From November 1st to 3rd, 2023, the XVI Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference will take place in Kyiv and online
In times when Ukraine continues to resist the russian aggression, we, representatives of the community, unite to make victory and a European future for our country — where we plan to live and work — closer.
War is not a reason to stop, but to amplify our efforts, as the foundation of post-war life is being shaped by all of us today.
War urges us to take ambitious actions — to defend the country on the frontlines and maintain a reliable support system.
We are holding the Conference to agree on the priorities for human rights and freedoms, as well as healthcare for the LGBTIQ community for 2024. We plan to share experiences on how to build our organizations and initiatives’ work during times of this significant conflict; how to coordinate our efforts with the government and local communities, and how to continue our work on the humanitarian track.
🔴 What is the Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference?
The Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference of is an annual national event with international participation, that brings together representatives of the LGBTIQ community and a wide range of stakeholders for intensive networking, exchange of experiences and information, discussions on controversial issues, and the development of priorities for the next year.
Initiated in the distant year of 2008… between revolutions, pre-Eurointegration, pre-pandemic, and pre-war times… the Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference is the most significant and extensive event of its kind in the Ukrainian LGBTIQ movement and in the field of public health services for key populations and transgender individuals. The Conference serves as a meeting point for different generations of activists, sharing knowledge, skills, and experience, and acts as a “point of memory and vision” for the LGBTIQ movement.
🔴 What is the goal of the XVI Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference?
This year, we will work on updating LGBTIQ issues in the socio-political agenda, considering the wartime situation in Ukraine, migration challenges, the threat of a “russian world” invasion, which is inherently homophobic. We will define specific human rights and freedoms priorities for LGBTIQ individuals, as well as healthcare in the context of the needs of men, women, and transgender people for the upcoming year of 2024, which we will communicate to our partner organizations and people of political influence following the Conference.
🔴 Who will participate in the Conference?
The main participants are representatives of the LGBTIQ community.
Experts working in LGBTIQ health and HIV prevention spheres, as well as professionals representing academic and research institutions advocating for LGBTIQ rights and freedoms, will present at the conference. We are expecting open conversations with government officials, parliament members, ministries, state agencies, and the ombudsman’s office, as well as political parties and human rights organizations.
🔴 Which organizations support and organize the Ukraine National LGBTIQ Conference in 2023:
The International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health”
USAID project “Innovations for HIV Epidemic Control” implemented by Pact, Inc.
ECOM (Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity)
NGO “100% LIFE” through PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL”
National LGBTI Consortium #LGBTI_PRO
Expert Group on LGBTQI+ Health and Rights in Ukraine
PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL”
…
We’ve placed three dots in the list, as the organizing team invites other organizations and projects that share human rights values and public health priorities to join the partnership. We are always open to collaboration and await your suggestions in private messages and comments!
We want to highlight separately that 30 participants from regions of Ukraine will receive financial support to cover travel and accommodation expenses for participating in all Conference events over three days in Kyiv.