Thousands Sign Petition Calling On President Zelenskyy To Legalise Same-Sex Marriage In Ukraine

Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Ukraine.

While same-sex sexual activity is legal in the eastern European country, same-sex couples don't have the same rights and protections as their heterosexual counterparts.

Attitudes have been slowly turning in favour of the LGBTQIA+ community over the years inside Ukraine.

A poll conducted in 2010 found a measly 28 per cent of respondents believed LGBT people in the country should have the same rights.

A similar survey done seven years later found that number had increased to 52 per cent, which still isn't great but it's a massive improvement.

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But a petition is hoping to convince Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to legalise same-sex marriage.

At the time of writing, nearly 28,000 people have signed the online campaign on the President's official website.

The petition was launched last month and highlighted how Russia's invasion of the country means everyone in Ukraine deserves to have the same right.

"At this time, every day can be the last," the petition reads.

"Let people of the same sex get the opportunity to start a family and have an official document to prove it. 

"They need the same rights as traditional couples."

The petition needs 25,000 signatures for it to be considered by President Zelenskyy and that number was achieved early in July.

It's the most signed petition on the President's website that hasn't received a response and still has 54 days left for people to jump on board.

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According to The New Voice of Ukraine, not only are same-sex couples in Ukraine refused from being allowed to marry, but they also can't jointly own property.

These couples can't inherit the property of a partner or raise children together.

If one person in the couple dies then they are not allowed to take care of their children because they are not considered a direct relative of the person who died.

There was a push back in 2017 to at least give same-sex couples the opportunity to have a registered and recognised civil partnership.

However the following year, Ukraine's Ministry of Justice said 'the development and submission to the Government of a draft law on the legalisation of a registered civil partnership in Ukraine cannot be implemented' because of 'numerous appeals from the regional councils, the Council of Churches and other religious organisations'.