Russia’s attack triggered a war that has not been seen in Europe since the Second World War. The ideas of human rights and collective security: what the modern understanding of justice and equality is based on, have been challenged. Ukrainians united to defend their homeland, and amidst the fighting, losses, and deaths, everything else faded into the background. Any nation that is forced to defend its existence will face the consequences of war. It brings not only crippled lives and destroyed cities. It also brings radicalization of society and increased pressure on vulnerable groups of people. Social exclusion based on sexual orientation or gender identity is still present in Ukraine.
The advocacy campaign, which included collecting stories, holding an exhibition, publishing a book, and recording an audiobook, “Those Tempered at Daybreak: LGBTQ+ eyewitness reports of the war in Ukraine,” is our response to the challenges of war.
The campaign was an opportunity for LGBTQ+ people to share their unique experience, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, common to many Ukrainians in southern Ukraine. To speak out loud about their experiences, fears, and hopes, about their identity as a group member, even in situations where some of them were left alone in the face of disaster.
We, the Gay Alliance Ukraine in Odesa, have always aimed to give LGBTQ+ people the opportunity to express and manifest themselves both actively and openly, and indirectly. Without betraying our values in the face of a full-scale war, without leaving the vulnerable community alone in danger and uncertainty, we have always stayed in touch with the community, listened to them, and helped them regain their lost sense of security and support.
“Those tempered at daybreak: LGBTQ+ eyewitness reports of the war in Ukraine” is the title chosen to draw attention to the event that divided the lives of millions of Ukrainians around the world into “before” and “after” – the dawn of February 24, 2022. The dawn after which we changed, becoming hardened. The dawn after which we lost so much forever.
