Ukraine

Ukranian LGBT activists took to the streets despite considerable social and legal challenges, and widespread political instability and distortion of human rights campaigning, and celebrated May 17 with a visit to a national wildlife island.

In the city of Zaporizhia, Ukraine, a flashmob action dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia was held on the Khortytsia island – a national wildlife refuge, located in the heart of the city on the Dnieper River.

Participants repeated the tradition established for rainbow flashmob events, and wrote their wishes on cards tied to balloons during the event. Before letting the balloons fly into the sky, the participating activists, using banners, created a media message in which they expressed their protest against homophobia and hate and urged media and public to “be over hatred”.
This was also a symbolic statement, since the group made a point of climbing to one of the highest points within reach of the city.
You can watch the flashmob action here: