« Every day can be your last » Andryi from Dnipro wants to live and help
It sounds absurd: but Andryi overcame his depression in the middle of the war, into which he had fallen even before Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine. Today, the young gay man from Dnipro helps others and enjoys his life, as he says. Our friend and activist Iryna Hanenkova asked Andryi to tell us about his situation.
My name is Andryi, I am 22 years old and I live in Dnipro. It may sound strange, but when the war started, last year, I was in a rather „interesting“ emotional state. Namely, in the state of depression.
I was grieving for a loved one who had passed away in autumn 2021. In addition, I ended a long year relationship. I moved to a new apartmen and then came this fateful date, the 24th of February 2022.
The first few days I was frozen with shock. I was quite passive, wondering what would happen next.
I soon volunteered
A few weeks passed and I decided that I finally wanted to stop sitting around and help in some way. I am not eligible for military service, so I decided to volunteer.
I have been doing this for almost a year now. You can find it all on my Instagram page @andrii_yln. We hold charitable collections for various things, like medicine, clothes, food, cars, even drones.
We have to get on with our lives now
Why do I say „we“? Because it is somehow a joint effort. My psychotherapist and a psychologist helped me a lot last summer to deal with my depression. Even with the war, I manage to live now.
Every day can be the last: In my city, you know it from the news, we experience air raids every day. Here’s a VIDEO from Berezovka where I lived in the beginning of the war.
Today, I think that despite everything, we have to continue our lives, we need to help our people, including our soldiers, as much as possible. We are building our future.
We will win and everything will be Ukraine!
This is how you can help
INDIVIDUAL HELP Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine who need help and are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups like Andriy. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.
HELP FOR LGBTIQ* ORGANISATIONS To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here
Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations
HOUSING FOR QUEER REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.
Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.
Звучить абсурдно, але Андрій подолав депресію посеред війни, в яку впав ще до нападу Росії. Сьогодні молодий гей з Дніпра допомагає іншим і, за його словами, насолоджується життям. Наша подруга та активістка Ірина Ханенкова попросила Андрія розповісти нам свою історію.
Мене звати Андрій , мені 22 роки я проживаю у місті Дніпро. Початок війни я застав в достатньо «цікавому» емоційному стані.
А саме, у стані депресії. Мій стан зумовлено було загибеллю близької мені людині восени 2021 року. В мене закінчилися стосунки , що тривали кілька років я переїхав у нове житло і от настала ця дата, 24 лютого 2022 року.
Перші дні я був в очікувані і завмер. Щож буде далі. Минуло кілька тижнів і я вирішив, що я не хочу сидіти на місті і хочу якось допомагати.
Я вирішив волонтерити
Я обмежено придатний до військової служби, тож вирішив волонтерити. Це я роблю і по цей день, от вже майже рік.
Ми проводимо благодній збори на різні речі, ліки, одяг, дрони, їжу, машини і так далі. Просто від себе на своїй сторінці в інстаграм @andrii_yln.
Будувати своє майбутнє
Чому я кажу ми, бо це все є спільною працею. В літку на фоні моєї праці з лікарем психотерапевтом та психологом. Я зміг подолати свою депресію і навіть в умовах війни почати повноцінно жити.
Кожен день може бути останнім, бо повітряні тривоги в моєму місті від 3 до 10+ разів на день.
Тож на разі я вважаю що незважаючи на все потрібно жити далі, допомагати нашим воїнам що є сили і будувати своє майбутнє.
Ми Переможемо і все буде Україна!
Ви можете допомогти
Індивідуальна допомога Munich Kyiv Queer має власну кампанію зі збору коштів: www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer – це кампанія для підтримки людей в Україні, з якими ми тісно співпрацювали протягом останніх десяти років. Вони наші друзі та партнери. Ми знаємо їх особисто і сумуємо за ними. Проте Munich Kyiv Queer – це ініціативна група, а не асоціація, тому ми не можемо видавати квитанцій про пожертвування. Але ми можемо допомогти швидко, прямо й безбюрократично. І ми це вже робимо.
Допомога ЛГБТІК* організаціям Для підтримки ЛГБТІК* в Україні ми допомогли створити Альянс Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, до якого залучено багато німецьких правозахисних ЛГБТІК* організацій. Усі ці групи мають доступ до дуже різних правозахисних організаційв Україні та використовують зібрані кошти на терміново необхідну допомогу чи евакуацію квір-людей. Кожна пожертва допомагає і стовідсотково використовується на користь квір-людей в Україні. Тут ви також можете отримати квитанції про пожертвування. Пожертвувати можна ТУТ
Питання? www.munichkyivqueer.org/пожертви-2/
Житло для квір-біженців з України ЛГБТІК* часто стикалися з дискримінацією у своєму житті, тому квір-біженці є особливо вразливими. Багато з них травмовані, і тепер вони переживають повторну травму в бігах. Ми хочемо запропонувати їм дім, де вони почуватимуться комфортно і зможуть жити без страху.
Залежно від наявності, ми орендуємо дво-, три-, чотири- або п’ятикімнатні квартири і здаємо їх в суборенду людям, які цього потребують, як спільне житло. Наше об’єднання поки що не має свого фінансування, тому ми залежимо від пожертв. Наприклад, нам доводиться авансувати орендну плату та заставу, поки не втрутяться державні центри зайнятості.
Пожертвувати можна тут:
- Münchner Bank eG
- IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
- Munich Queer Homes e.V.
Питання? www.MunichQueerHomes.org
Giving up was not an option when Bogdan and his boyfriend Artem had to move out of their flat. They had both lost their jobs and could no longer pay the rent. So they went to a shelter run by Gay Alliance Ukraine, which is partly supported by the German LGBTIQ*-community. This story was written by our columnist Evgen Lesnoy, filmmaker, journalist and blogger.
24th of February 2022 has divided the lives of Ukrainians in two. They reckon with a time before the war and a time after. Before this ominous date, people made plans, hoped for the future; life had a meaning. Afterwards, everything changed dramatically.
Bogdan was born in Kherson, the city that Russian soldiers had invaded a week after 24th of February. The city has since been liberated, but is shelled every day. His parents stayed in the occupied territories; the mother has only now left for Poland. Bogdan himself has been living in Kryvyj Rih for some time.
Just two days before the war began, his boyfriend Artem from the town of Polohy in the Zaporizhzhya region moved in with him. The house where the boy grew up has since been hit by a Russian missile. Not even the walls remained standing. Since then, he has had no contact with his parents. He does not know if they are still alive.
So on that unfortunate 24 February, everything changed. The owners of the restaurant where Bogdan worked as a cook and the management fled the city on the same day. They stopped paying the wages. Bogdan’s landlords were initially willing to let the two of them have their flat for some days, but it couldn’t stay that way.
Suddenly they were homeless
Two young men, two gay young men, in a city that had become a frontline city, were about to be put out on the street. And so it happened.
In the early days, Bogdan cooked lunch for the fighters of the local territorial defence. But soon, the housing problem became virulent: they had to get out.
But the world is not without good people. Organisations of the LGBTIQ* community came to help. Bogdan called his friends at the Gay Alliance Ukraine. They offered them accommodation in a shelter for queer people who, like them, were without housing and money because of the war.
Of course, they don’t have a separate flat for themselves there, not even a room. They share all the spaces with several people. But at least there is a warm bed and food. The accommodation was organised by activists from Gay Alliance Ukraine and the local queer organisation Protego.
Vegetables from your own garden
Now the first shock is over. They are alive and can be useful to the LGBTIQ* community, Ukrainians and Ukraine. The economy also gradually got going again: cafés and restaurants reopened.
Bogdan managed to find a job as an assistant cook. His boyfriend Artem stayed without work. But they are not lazy. Together with the residents of their shelter, they started growing vegetables in the garden in spring. Although many of the boys come from the city and were working the soil for the first time, they managed to plant some vegetables.
Unfortunately, not everything survived. Russia’s massive rocket attacks did not leave Kryvyj Rih unscathed. A rocket hit a dam on the Inhulets river and flooded the garden plot. Unfortunately, part of the harvest was destroyed.
The boys still live in the shelter. In a very cramped space, but there is no shame in that. After victory, there will be comfort again and a European future for Ukraine. The main thing now is to drive the Russian occupiers out of the homeland.
A thank you to Germany
Bogdan continues to work and cook for the Ukrainian military. Artem is active as a volunteer and helps both the Ukrainian army and the civilian population in any way he can.
P.S. Bogdan and Artem asked to thank Munch Kyiv Queer, ECOM and KyivPride. Due to their donations, this shelter for LGBTIQ* people exists.
This is how you can help
INDIVIDUAL HELP Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine who are not organised in the local LGBTIQ*-groups like Bogdan and Artem. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.
HELP FOR LGBTIQ* ORGANISATIONS To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people like KyivPride. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here
Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations
HOUSING FOR QUEER REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE LGBTIQ* often have seen discrimination in their lifes, therefore queer refugees are particularly vulnerable. Many are traumatised and now they experience re-traumatisation on the run. We want to offer them a home where they feel comfortable and can live without fear. Depending on availability, we rent two-, three-, four- or five-room flats and sublet them to people in need as shared flats. Our association does not have any funding yet, so we depend on donations. For example, we have to advance rent and deposits until the State’s job centres step in.
Donate here:
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN DE16 7019 0000 0003 1425 66
Munich Queer Homes e.V.
After the missile attack on Friday, Kyiv has quickly returned to normality. Sibylle is also resuming her blog activities. She recently visited a shelter for queer people in need run by our partner, KyivPride. Living under one roof with so many different people doesn’t always work out – it needs clear rules.
This is the blog of Sibylle von Tiedemann, co-founder of Munich Kyiv Queer. She no longer wanted to just watch what’s happening in Ukraine and travelled there. She visits our friends and partners, writes this blog and collects donations.
Power: astonishingly much!!!
Temperature: astonishingly good!!!
Donations: 9608,67 out of 18.000 Euros
Special occurrences: Back to normality
All post blogs: Sibylle’s Charity Trip to Ukraine
On Friday, December 16, I experienced the biggest rocket fire since the beginning of the war. It was frightening.
After more than four hours of air alert, the people of Kyiv have returned to normality quite fast. The flower seller came back to her street stall, people visit cafés, technicians repair the destroyed infrastructure.
You have heating or you simply don’t
The water (from tap) came back on Saturday, the heating on Sunday. It works fine in my private accommodation anyway, which is only true for some of Kyiv’s households. Electricity is switched off „on a rolling basis“, often unscheduled; heating is available or not.
And what about the people? I don’t want to say that they feel great, but it’s not catastrophic either. It’s a special country.
The day before the attack, I was invited to visit the shelter that KyivPride has been running since May 2022. Herewith, I submit the missing blog post.
Surprise meeting in Aroma Café
I have a confession to make: I can memorize faces very well, but I am not good with names. This is somehow stupid in a country where you traditionally find a lot of Olhas, Lenas and Nastyas. My cell phone is full of numbers like „Olha Kyiv“; some very old contacts are called „Lena Kiev“, this is the Russian transcription. (After Ukraine’s victory, you all will write Kyiv. I bet you will).
So I didn’t realise for a long time that KyivPride’s shelter is run by an Olha I personally know because she took part in Munich’s „Community Building“ workshop in 2018. With Jul. The two form a couple. So to reunite was really great when we met at Aroma Kava nearby a central metro station.
In moments like these, I notice that Munich Kyiv Queer has been in touch with great people for so many years now. With people like Olha and Jul.
After the coffee, the two of them take me to the shelter. To come straight to the point: I am impressed. Very much. By the shelter. The organisation. The work that is done here. The importance for the LGBTIQ* community. It goes far beyond free sleeping.
In the shelter, they also offer jobs
„Why do people seek shelter here?“, I ask Olha and Jul. We are now sitting in the cosy living room. My smartphone is charging (always charge when possible …).
„People flee from occupied areas, the yhave lost their jobs due to the war and therefore have no income. Or they have problems with their parents,“ Jul answers. Olha adds that they therefore not only offer accommodation, but also job training.
They train their guests on jobs that can be learned quickly: masseur, barista (Ukrainians are a coffee-crazy people!), hairdresser, waiter. The KyivPride shelter therefore is also a place for personal development. They’ll help you to find a job, offer psychological and legal counselling.
The shelter is exclusively for LGBTIQ* and they check this in advance. Upon moving in, passport details are photographed and a Covid vaccination certificate must be presented. People who come from the occupied areas – where it was and is impossible to get vaccinated – have to present a test and get vaccinated in Kyiv. It is free of charge and a very useful rule because many different people live here in a confined space.
The shelter offers space for 20 to 25 people who can stay for up to one month (previously: two weeks). It is situated in a large old house in the centre. In addition to the dormitory on a gallery, there is a kitchen/living room, a bathroom with toilet, a common room, an office and a small balcony, which is especially appreciated by the smokers. Because, smoking is prohibited in the shelter.
And that is not the only thing prohibited. Little by little, rules have been established. They are needed as many different people have to get along in a very small space and they actually only have three things in common: They belong to the LGBTIQ* community, are in an emergency situation and need accommodation in Kyiv.
The rules are always about protecting – protecting the needs of the individuals, the group and the shelter. Readers of this blog who are familiar with living in shared flats and families certainly have an idea what I’m talking about. Silence, a clean room, daily routines are important. Since there is a war going on, everyone has to go to the underground bunker when the sirens start to howl. Without any single exception! These rules have to be acknowledged when moving in.
There is currently no great demand to live in the shelter compared to as it was in the first war months. But the situation can change fast: Kyiv has a massive problem with electricity and heating due to the Russian attacks already now; and the Ukrainian winter has not yet started. The number of people seeking protection can therefore rise again quickly.
Money for medicines, education
„How can Munich Kyiv Queer, how can people from Munich, how can we all help?“, I ask.
„Medication. We need money for medication,“ Olha explains, referring to the cold season. And when it comes to the job training sessions, financial support would be great, too. „For materials, for the trainers.“
„Well, I’m sure that people in Munich will support such a great project,“ I say confidently.
#FundReise #MunichKyivLove #18000Euro
This is how you can help
Individual help
Munich Kyiv Queer has its own fundraising campaign via www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer to support people in Ukraine with whom we have worked closely over the past ten years. Keyword: #FundReise. They are our friends and partners. We know them personally and we miss them. We can help fast, directly and unbureaucratically.
Help for War Victims
The association “Bridge to Kiev” supports people in need, especially children and large families.
Recipient: Brücke nach Kiew e.V.
Bank: Raiffeisenbank München Süd eG
IBAN: DE74 7016 9466 0000 0199 50
BIC: GENODEF1M03
Keyword: #FundTravel
A donation receipt can be issued for donations of 200 euros and more.
Help for LGBTIQ* organisations
To support LGBTIQ* in Ukraine we have helped set up the Alliance Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, in which around 40 German LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations are involved. All these groups have access to very different Human Rights organisations in Ukraine and use funds for urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is used 100 percent to benefit queer people in Ukraine. Donate here
Questions? www.MunichKyivQueer.org/donations
Після ракетного обстрілу у п’ятницю Київ швидко повернувся до нормального життя. Сибілла також відновлює свою блогерську діяльність. Нещодавно вона відвідала шелтер для квір-людей, які потребують допомоги, яким керує ним наш партнер КиївПрайд. Жити під одним дахом з такою кількістю різних людей не завжди вдається- для цього потрібні чіткі правила.
Це блог Сибілли фон Тідеманн, співзасновниці Мюнхен Київ Квіру. Вона більше не хотіла просто спостерігати за тим, що відбувається в Україні, і поїхала туди сама. Вона вже кілька днів відвідує там наших друзів та партнерів, звітує та збирає пожертви.
Електроенергія: неймовірна велика!!!
Температура: дивовижно хороша!!!
Барометр пожертв: 9608,67 з 18.000 євро
Особливі події: Повернення до нормального життя
Всі записи в блозі: Поїздка Сібілли #FundReise до Києва в розпал війни
У п’ятницю, 16.12, я переживала найбільший ракетний обстріл з початку війни. Це було страшно.
Після понад чотирьох годин повітряної тривоги кияни досить швидко повернулися до нормального життя. Продавчиня квітів повернулася до свого вуличного кіоску, люди – до кав’ярень, техніки – до зруйнованої інфраструктури.
У вас є опалення або його немає
В суботу вже знову тече вода (з крану), в неділю гріє опалення. У моєму приватному помешканні все, як правило, все працює добре, це стосується лише деяких київських домогосподарств. Електроенергія відключається „по черзі“, часто позапланово, а опалення або є, або його немає.
А як люди? Не можу сказати, що атмосфера чудова, але й не катастрофічна. Це дивовижна країна.
За день до великого ракетного обстрілу мене запросили до шелтеру, який КиївПрайд організовує з травня 2022 року. Разом з цим подаю відповідний допис у блозі, що і він повернувся до нормального режиму роботи.
Несподівана зустріч в Арома каві
Я маю зізнатися: У мене дуже хороша пам’ять на обличчя, але не дуже хороша пам’ять на імена. Це, м’яко кажучи, дещо непрактично в країні, де традиційно багато Оль, Лєн і Насть. У моєму українському телефоні повно номерів типу „Ольга Київ“, а з дуже старими знайомими іноді звучить „Лєна Київ“, тобто в російській транскрипції. (Після перемоги України ви всі будете підписані Київ. Б’юсь об заклад!)
Тому я довго не знала, що шелтером КиївПрайду керує Ольга, яку я знаю особисто, бо вона з Юлею брала участь у воркшопі Уве Хагенберга „Розбудова спільноти“ в Мюнхені у 2018 році. Вони – пара. Тож радість зустрічі в Києві була ще більшою, коли вони зустріли мене в кав’ярні „Арома Кава“ на одній з центральних станцій метро. Ольга одразу ж розпитала мене про Уве і про те, як у нього справи.
У такі моменти я завжди помічаю, що Мюнхен Київ Квір вже багато років підтримує контакти з чудовими людьми. З такими людьми, як Ольга та Юля.
Після кави вони вдвох ведуть мене до шелтеру. Відразу скажу: Я вражена. Дуже вражена. Біля шелтеру. Організація. Та робота, яка тут проводиться. Важливість для ЛГБТІК*-спільноти. Це виходить далеко за межі безкоштовного тимчасового притулку, що власне і означає англійський термін „shelter“.
У притулку також пропонують перспективи працевлаштування тим, хто потребує захисту
„Чому люди шукають притолок в КиївПрайду?“ – запитую я у Ольги та Юлі. Зараз ми сидимо у затишній вітальні. Мій смартфон заряджається (завжди заряджаю по можливості, це швидко увійшло у мене тут у звичку…).
„Люди тікають з окупованих територій, через війну вони втратили роботу і, відповідно, не мають доходів. Або є проблеми з батьками“, – відповідає Юля. Ольга додає, що тому вони пропонують не лише житло, а й професійне навчання.
Пропонується робота, якої можна швидко навчитися: Масажист, бариста (українці – шалені кавомани!), перукар, офіціант. Тому шелтер КиївПрайду – це ще й місце для особистісного розвитку. Тут надаються психологічні та юридичні консультації, допомога у працевлаштуванні.
Притулок призначений виключно для ЛГБТІК*, що перевіряється заздалегідь. При заселені фотографуються паспортні дані, пред’являється довідка про вакцинацію від Covid. Шукачі притулку з окупованих територій, де вакцинація була неможлива, повинні здати експрес-тест та пройти вакцинацію в Києві. Це безкоштовне і дуже корисне правило, оскільки багато різних людей живуть тут в обмеженому просторі.
Притулок пропонує місце для 20-25 ЛГБТІК*, які можуть перебувати в ньому до одного місяця (раніше – до двох тижнів). Шелтер знаходиться у великому старому будинку в центрі. Крім гуртожитку є кухня-вітальня, ванна кімната з туалетом, загальна кімната, кабінет і невеликий балкон, який особливо цінують курці. У притулку заборонено палити.
І це не єдина заборона. Поступово встановлюються правила. Вони потрібні, оскільки багато різних людей мають уживатися в дуже маленькому просторі, і насправді вони мають лише три спільні речі: вони належать до ЛГБТІК* спільноти, перебувають у надзвичайній ситуації та потребують проживання в Києві.
Правила завжди стосуються захисту потреб окремих осіб, груп та притулку. Читачі цього блогу, які мають досвід проживання у спільних квартирах та сім’ях, звичайно, мають уявлення, про що я говорю. Тиша, чистота, розпорядок дня – це головні моменти. Оскільки йде війна, всім доводиться йти в підземне укриття коли починається сирени повітряної тривоги. Без єдиного винятку. З цими правилами слід ознайомитися при поселенні.
Зараз великого попиту на проживання в притулку порівняно з тим, що було в перші місяці війни, немає. Але ситуація може швидко змінитися: Київ зараз вже має масштабну проблему з електрикою та опаленням через російські атаки; а українська зима ще не почалася. Тому кількість людей, які шукають захисту, може швидко зрости.
Гроші на медицину та освіту
«Як Мюнхен Київ Квір, як люди з Мюнхена, як ми всі можемо допомогти?», – запитую я.
„Ліки. Потрібні гроші на ліки“, – пояснює Ольга, маючи на увазі холодну пору року. „А для навчальних курсів фінансова підтримка була б дуже доречною. На матеріали, на тренерів“.
„Що ж, я впевнена, що мюнхенці підтримають такий чудовий проект“, – впевнено кажу я.
#FundReise #MunichKyivLove #18000Euro
Ви можете допомогти
Індивідуальна допомога
Munich Kyiv Queer має власну кампанію зі збору коштів: www.paypal.me/ConradBreyer – це кампанія для підтримки людей в Україні, з якими ми тісно співпрацювали протягом останніх десяти років. Вони наші друзі та партнери. Ми знаємо їх особисто і сумуємо за ними. Проте Munich Kyiv Queer – це ініціативна група, а не асоціація, тому ми не можемо видавати квитанцій про пожертвування. Але ми можемо допомогти швидко, прямо й безбюрократично. І ми це вже робимо.
Допомога жертвам війни
Асоціація “Міст до Києва” підтримує людей, які потребують допомоги, особливо дітей та багатодітні сім’ї.
- Одержувач: Brücke nach Kiew e.V.
- Банк: Raiffeisenbank München Süd eG
- IBAN: DE74 7016 9466 0000 0199 50
- BIC: GENODEF1M03
- Ключове слово: #FundTravel
Квитанція про пожертвування може бути видана на суму від 200 євро і більше.
Допомога ЛГБТІК* організаціям
Для підтримки ЛГБТІК* в Україні ми допомогли створити Альянс Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine, до якого залучено багато німецьких правозахисних ЛГБТІК* організацій. Усі ці групи мають доступ до дуже різних правозахисних організаційв Україні та використовують зібрані кошти на терміново необхідну допомогу чи евакуацію квір-людей. Кожна пожертва допомагає і стовідсотково використовується на користь квір-людей в Україні. Тут ви також можете отримати квитанції про пожертвування. Пожертвувати можна ТУТ
Питання? www.munichkyivqueer.org/пожертви-2/
The terrible war in Ukraine has been going on for a month and a half now, and millions of people have already been evacuated abroad. Not everyone can escape the war – only women, children and the elderly.
And even among refugees, the most vulnerable group are members of the LGBTIQ* community – at least as long as they stay in Ukraine. Indeed, as we learn from the following stories, even shelters in relatively „safer“ regions of Ukraine do not guarantee LGBTIQ* people security and acceptance, because, first of all, Russian missiles reach all corners of the country, and second, homophobic sentiments are still prevalent in almost every city, town and village.
No doubt, the most severe challenges are faced by the residents of territories temporarily occupied by Russian troops, so their attempts to leave are extremely risky. But, unfortunately, it is even more dangerous to stay there, so our people go in spite of everything.
Further obstacles, regarding leaving Ukraine: It takes precious time and requires fast, sometimes unconventional solutions – because people often lack the money and documents they need. They obviously need help.
Since the beginning of the war, our NGO „You are not alone“with the help of Munich Kyiv Queer and the German Alliance „Queer Emergency Aid Ukraine“ has been helping dozens and hundreds of members of the LGBTIQ* community and their families to solve all the problems. As we promised, here are a few more stories with an happy ending.
Ira and Lilya, a Lesbian couple, and Ira’s son Vlad, 11 years old, Ternopil
The first words I heard were ‚Sasha, help!‘. Once the war broke out, Ira called me and said that Ternopil had also been hit by missiles, so the whole family decided to go to Lila’s mother in Transcarpathia.
The girls lived there for about three weeks, and unfortunately they had to face the rejection of their relationship by Lily’s relatives. All the time, Lily’s mother insulted Ira and her son. She was extremely homophobic and did not accept the girls as a family.
As soon as the bombing of Lviv‘ outskirts began, the girls became very frightened again and decided to flee Ukraine. We contacted them and discussed their journey plan in detail. Ira and Lily had nothing at all but a child in their arms – the girls lost their jobs, there was no money.
Thanks to the help of German LGBTIQ*-organizations, in particular Munich Kyiv Queer, we paid in full for the trip, including urgent repairs to the car that broke down on the eve of the departure, petrol, food, two nights. The girls are now safe near Munich.
Angelina, 38, a lesbian, Mariupol
„I will never be able to breathe normally and calmly in my life“ – that were the words I heard during our two-minute conversation. Angelina stayed in a bomb shelter for about two weeks. She still can’t find her beloved girlfriend and mother.
When Angelina decided to go to a store, they started bombing her area, and she fled to a shelter, where she spent almost two weeks. Her apartment burned down and she still can’t find her relatives.
Angelina miraculously broke through to Dnipro, she was lucky to evacuate, for two days she slept almost standing. Upon arrival in Dnipro, Angelina contacted our organization in search of a shelter, food and medicine.
We helped Angelina to rent a house for a week, provided financial assistance for food, medicine and clothes. Since Angelina has relatives in Finland, she decided to go there. We paid in full for her move, and the woman is now completely safe.
Bogdan, 17, gay, Zhytomyr region
This is the story of Bogdan (name changed). Bogdan was about to graduate from the school in his native village, thought about final exams, dreamed of entering high school in Kyiv to become a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature.
The war radically changed these plans – his village was practically on the front line, 40 km from Makariv, where fierce battles were fought.
In the village, it’s never been easy with work, but when the war started, the area became practically unemployed, hence Bogdan decided to leave Ukraine to help his family.
It was a difficult decision – after all, his mother does not know about the guy’s homosexual orientation, and he has not yet decided to come out. Bogdan tried to take his family out as well, but his mother, having two small children in her arms (Bogdan’s step-brother and step-sister), did not want to leave her husband and stayed in the village.
Bogdan contacted the LGBTIQ* organization You Are Not Alone and asked for help. With money from Munich Kyiv Queer, Bogdan bought food for the family, and was also able to get from Zhytomyr region to Lviv, where, with the assistance of Tymur Levchuk and the organization „Tochka Opory“, he lived for two days in a shelter for LGBTIQ*, and then, with the support of an Italian LGBTIQ* organization, left for Milan.
For a guy who has never been outside of Kyiv, driving thousands of kilometers is a lot of stress, but he knows why he is doing it and what is the ultimate goal. We keep in touch with Bogdan. We hope we will soon be able to tell new optimistic facts about his life in Italy.
Oleksandr, 29 years old, a gay man, Malinsky district, Zhytomyr region
All I want is silence. These were the first words I heard on the phone when Alexander called.
He lived and worked in Kyiv, had a permanent partner, a job he loved, attended LGBTIQ* clubs, bought fashionable clothes and, like many in Ukraine, did not fully believe in war.
February 24th changed his life forever – in order not to be blocked in Kyiv, Alexander in the first days of the war went to relatives in the north of Zhytomyr region.
But then the real hell began – the Malinsky district was constantly fired. Explosions that thundered all night began to rumble in Alexander’s head during the day as well. He could no longer distinguish the real explosions from what it seemed to him, and believed he was going crazy.
Alexander contacted the LGBTIQ* organization „You are not alone“ and found out he could get money for evacuation. With money from Munich Kyiv Queer, the guy went to the Ternopil region, where it is still quiet and not so scary. Alexander did not want to evacuate to Zhytomyr, in his opinion, this is very close to the place of shelling in Malinsky district.
Now the guy is coming to his senses, looking for a job and building a life from scratch in a new place. We wish him good luck..
Leonid, gay, Zhytomyr
The war found Leonid in Chervone, his native village in the Zhytomyr region.
Prior to that, he lived in Kyiv for a long time, had a boyfriend, painted pictures, held several personal exhibitions. But the anxious premonition of the pre-war winter of 2022 did not leave Leo: He was depressed, missed inspiration for painting, his relationship with his boyfriend cracked. He packed up and left.
In the first days of war, he experienced horror, confusion, fear and pain. Chervone was not bombed, but warplanes were constantly flying over the village, it was impossible to sleep, the nerves were shattered. And then inspiration came as a rescue – Leonid could not eat or sleep. Like a possessed man he painted around the clock, that helped him to express on canvas what had accumulated inside.
Not a good time for paintings
We met Leonid in Zhytomyr on April 7, on the 42nd day of the war. We didn’t even recognize him right away – unshaved, with red eyes. He was running out of food supplies, could not find work in the village. No one is buying paintings now, it’s not a good time for paintings.
He tried to join the army, but was not fit for service for health reasons. We talked, bought some food, Leo smiled and for the first time spoke about plans for the future. „You know, Max, I want to go to Europe, I want to paint and talk about the war through art. It seems to me that Europeans still do not fully understand what sort of evil we are facing here. I want to sell paintings, and transfer money to the Ukrainian army, because only thanks to the Ukrainian military, my mother and I are still alive … „
These dreams have yet to come true, but Leonid has already taken the first step – one of his large paintings has been donated to a charity auction of Zhytomyr artists, which will be held in Bratislava. All proceeds from it will go to the purchase of bulletproof vests, walkie-talkies and thermal imagers for the Ukrainian military. You can see the works of Leonid on instagram @leonid7974
Do whatever it takes!
We all sincerely hope that this horror that broke out in our lives on February 24 will end as soon as possible. And while we’re at it, no matter what happens, we must do whatever it takes to ensure peace, security and a normal life.
A life in which everyone will have a place, regardless of ideology, skin color, sexual orientation and gender identity. After all, it is freedom and democracy that our soldiers are fighting for – and good will surely win!
written by members of „You are not alone!„