HRC Blog

Ukrainian lawmakers are eyeing harshly anti-LGBT legislation that would make things like gay pride parades, positive public images of LGBT people, and TV shows and movies like “Brokeback Mountain” illegal.

It’s unknown how much support the bill has among lawmakers. However, the Washington Post reports that those supporting the legislation include the representative of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

In May organizers canceled what would have been the country’s first-ever gay pride parade, amid concerns of violence. Neighboring Russia also has seen an increase in violence against and intolerance toward openly LGBT people in recent months.

The Obama Administration elevated LGBT rights globally late last year, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declaring that LGBT rights are universal human rights.