“Political cooperation, friendship, love”
In 2012 the Munich lesbian, gay, bi *, trans * and inter * community entered into a cooperation with the scene in Kyiw. In five years, the human rights initiative has achieved a lot – on a political and personal level. Without Munich there would probably not have been the first CSD in Kyiw. With her commitment, Lydia Dietrich laid the foundation for the collaboration.
Ms. Dietrich, the scene cooperation between Kyiw and Munich has been going on for over five years. A reason to celebrate?
Yes, of course. It cannot be taken for granted that such a commitment will have such a lasting effect. It all started with the support of the KyivPride, which has existed since 2012, and the CSD in our twin city was really dangerous at first. Nevertheless, the people of Munich showed their solidarity and went there. When it comes to town twinning, I don’t know anything else like it.
You were the first to take part in 2012 alongside Sascha Hübner, a consultant from the Munich gay center Sub. It wasn’t exactly a party like in Munich, was it?
The CSD is never a party, not even here. Not just anyway, but a political demonstration. It was the first attempt at a political demonstration in Kyiv in 2012, and it was all about the protection of human rights. The event was completely unsupported, we faced massive headwinds from the Orthodox and the right and the police did not protect us. The first KyivPride had to be canceled; in the aftermath, people were beaten up. Nevertheless it was a success, the topic was set.
Injured, unwilling police officers, but enemies that are all the more violent. Up until now you have been to Munich’s twin city every year. If you compare the situation with today – what has changed?
You can’t compare that. Five years ago I would not have thought it possible how the CSD in Kyiv has developed to this day. For the first time in 2013 – that was still under President Yanukovych – 100 people demonstrated for equal rights, in 2017 there were 2,500. Back then the mob, today police officers protect the demonstrators by the thousands.
Is that also thanks to Munich?
Many factors play a role here. The work of the lesbian, gay, bi *, trans * and inter * (LGBTI) community itself, of course, but above all the international support: the EU embassies in Kyiv, the political mandate holders from abroad. And Munich has also pushed a lot. In 2013, Mayor Hep Monatzeder was there with me as a city councilor and another city councilor. And last but not least, the great support from Munich Kyiv Queer, the CSD Munich and the highly committed Munich people who support the Pride in Kyiw every year, travel at their own expense.
Did the Euromaidan accelerate the process in 2014?
I don’t know for the community itself, but at least the politicians have understood that if you want to go to Europe, also for lesbians , Gays, bi *, trans * and inter * have to do something. But that’s very superficial. The pressure comes more from civil society and from abroad. Like Munich. The mayor supports the commitment, the city council, a Kyiv delegation comes to the CSD in Munich every year. A lot happens in exchange over the year, politically, culturally, scientifically. Both sides are setting up an enormous number of projects, in Kyiv and here. This is lived town twinning. And I am convinced: Without the state capital, the movement in Kyiv would not be where it & nbsp; is.