Ukrainians denounce church's discrimination — public figures return awards after UOC KP revokes medal from openly gay soldier
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After the news that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC KP) revoked an award to the head of the LGBT+ Military association, Viktor Pylypenko, because he is openly gay, Ukrainians launched a flash mob online, publicly renouncing the awards issued by this church, Ukraine’s LGBT Military community reported on social media on Feb. 26.
In solidarity with Pylypenko, two military men and a Maidan activist have already publicly renounced the awards presented by the UOC KP and its head.
"The church as an institution must stop living in the Middle Ages, persecuting LGBT people, oppressing women, and so on, because it will no longer reflect the real views of Ukrainian society, but will be echoing the Moscow Patriarchate, which no longer corresponds to national interests," the statement said.
"Dear UOC KP and personally Patriarch Filaret,” said a Ukrainian soldier, Pavlo Shatokhin on Facebook.
Read also: Odesa orthodox church breaks with Moscow
“I possess an award from you (signed by Filaret Denysenko). It is difficult for me to assess the degree of insult that you tried to convey to serviceman Viktor Pylypenko, calling him a sinner and alluding to ‘dark forces,’ because I am not fully aware of the rules of your fantasy world. If my understanding is correct, your intent was to insinuate that Mr. Pylypenko's qualities as a person are inferior to yours. Therefore, you revoke the same token of gratitude for his sacrifice to Ukraine. As if your toy has any value after that. It doesn't. As if his sacrifice and our gratitude will become less. They will not. I will bring this toy to the St. Volodymyr Cathedral for you to play with, as you know.”
"Your anti-human views are repulsive to me, and your trinket that you give out and then take away is worthless,” said a Ukrainian soldier, Illya Krotenko on Facebook.
“I will throw this toy at your feet the next time I return from service to Kyiv. Support and respect to Viktor and other LGBT soldiers."
"I may surprise many now, but I, too, possess a medal from the UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate and Patriarch Filaret for the period of the Maidan,” said activist Natalya Soloviova on Facebook.
“I wish to renounce it due to actions that appear repugnant to me — I find it unacceptable to strip away an award from a courageous man and war veteran, Viktor Pylypenko, simply because he is openly gay."
Read also: Court extends Moscow Church Metropolitan Pavlo's detention for two months
The Vatican made a historic decision in December 2023 and allowed priests to bless LGBT couples, and the Israeli authorities equated LGBT+ military partners with family.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
