Stefanchuk met with representatives of the LGBTQ+ community at the Verkhovna Rada
Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met with representatives of the LGBTQ+ community. During the meeting, the parties discussed Bill No. 15150, which provides for a comprehensive recodification of the Civil Code of Ukraine. The bill had previously sparked lively debate among the legal community, the business sector, and the general public.
The Speaker of Parliament published photos from the meeting and emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach when drafting the country’s fundamental legislation. The main focus of the conversation was on proposals for revising the text of the draft new Civil Code, which had already been adopted by Parliament in its first reading in April. Representatives of LGBTQ+ organizations shared their perspectives and comments on the legal regulation of citizens’ family, property, and personal non-property rights.
According to the speaker, maintaining a transparent public dialogue in such sensitive areas is a matter of principle for the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada.
“It is important for us to maintain an open and responsible dialogue on issues concerning the individual, their dignity, private life, and equal rights,” Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized.
The head of parliament assured that all proposals from the civil society sector presented during the meeting will be thoroughly and professionally reviewed by the relevant working group during the preparation of the document for the second reading.
At the same time, Ruslan Stefanchuk outlined clear parameters that future legislative changes must adhere to. According to him, the finalization process will take place with mandatory consideration of:
- the Constitution of Ukraine (in particular Article 51, which defines the principles of marriage);
- the established case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR);
- current pan-European legal standards;
- achieving the necessary balance of interests within Ukrainian society.
The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the meeting participants for their constructive approach and willingness to engage in professional legal work on the thousands of amendments submitted to the draft law.
Earlier, Justice Minister nominee Marta Horog stated that Hungary would have to revise the law restricting access to LGBT+ content. According to her, changes may be necessary following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found that the current regulations contradict EU law.
In Kyiv, during the LGBT film festival, a man spilled an unknown substance in a movie theater.
