NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Within New York City lies the largest Ukrainian population in the United States. For the past few days, its approximate 150,000 residents have had to watch in terror - and in real time - as their homeland has been invaded by Russia. While all Ukrainians fear for the future of their country, some are more fearful for the future of those whose lifestyles aren't approved by President Putin.
Transgender activists participate in the Kyiv Pride march, estimated to be the city's largest ever, on June 23, 2019 in Kiev, Ukraine. The parade has been marked by anti-LGBT violence in past years, but a heavy police presence has been generally effective at discouraging direct attacks on parade participants.(Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Given Vladimir Putin's history of human rights violations, Ukrainian members of the LGBTQ community believe that if Russia eventually occupies their home, they will either be sentenced to jail or death.
But Ukrainian LGBTQ activists are speaking out, and in this special podcast, we speak to one of the organizers of a protest happening this weekend, Bogdan Globa.
He believes that even though LGBTQ+ activists are putting up a fight in Ukraine, not enough awareness is being raised here. "Right now, we have a great opportunity to press the U.S. Government [for help]," he says. "It's what we should do."
