LGBTIQ+ in Defense of Ukraine

Organized by Dafna Rachok, PhD candidate in Anthropology at Indiana University

“LGBTIQ+ in defense of Ukraine” is framed as a conversation with LGBTIQ+ people who joined the military or became full-time volunteers after Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These people became defenders not just of their country but also of democracy and equality worldwide. All of them are risking their lives for a democratic and independent Ukraine and chose to stay and fight against the Russian occupation. This exhibition — featuring portraits taken by Alim Yakubov and personal stories collected and translated by Dafna Rachok — shows the unity and humanity of the Ukrainian people, including the LGBTIQ+ community. LGBTIQ+ Ukrainians have always been a part of Ukraine’s progress, and this fight for the survival of the nation is no different. We wish to highlight the resilience of LGBTIQ+ Ukrainian military and humanitarian volunteers.