On Sept. 1, the president of Ukraine said his country will continue to fight anti-LGBTQ discrimination, The Washington Blade reported.
“With U.S. support, Ukraine will continue to advance respect for human rights, civil liberties and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international standards and obligations, as well as to fight racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community,” read a joint statement issued after Presidents Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met at the White House.
The statement concluded, “Ukraine plans to strengthen accountability for violence against all persons regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political views, including through legislation.”
Last week, members of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus urged Biden to raise the issue of LGBTQ rights with Zelenskyy when he visited the White House.
“While Ukraine has made significant strides on behalf of LGBTQ individuals, challenges still remain,” said Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley, who spearheaded the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, in a separate statement. “I was pleased to learn that President Biden and President Zelenskyy discussed some of these concerns during today’s meeting. I remain committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights around the globe because LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.”