In Legal First, Ukrainian Court Recognizes Same-Sex Couple as a Family

In "the first legal precedent of its kind in Ukraine," a district court in Kyiv has granted legal recognition to a same-sex family, the Kyiv Independent reports.

For Ukrainian diplomat Zoryan Kis and his life partner Tymur Levchuk, the court's finding is "a small victory in our struggle for 'simple family happiness'," but for Ukraine's LGTBQ+ citizens it's a milestone that takes place against the backdrop of Russia's invasion and the embattled country's three-year struggle for freedom.

Kis – who the Independent noted is the "first secretary of Ukraine's Embassy in Israel" – and Levchuk brought suit last year when Levchuk was not allowed to accompany Kis to Israel because no same-sex relationships were recognized under Ukrainian law. But the court, considering the twelve-year relationship between the men, a celebration of their commitment in Ukraine inf 2017 and their subsequent marriage ceremony in the United States in 2021, and the ways in which their lives are intertwined, set a precedent in agreeing that the men do, in fact, comprise a family.

"The court ruled on June 10 that their relationship constitutes a de facto marriage, establishing them as a family under Ukrainian law," the Independent verified.

Levchuk posted about the ruling at LinkedIn, where he wrote, "When Zoryan was sent abroad on diplomatic service, I was not allowed to accompany him because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to recognize us. That separation – painful and unjust – led us to file a lawsuit."

Added Levchuk: "With the incredible support of our lawyer Oksana Huz, Olena Shevchenko, and the team at NGO Insight" – a Ukrainian LGBTQ+ equality advocacy organization – "the court ruled in our favor. It recognized that we have built a shared life together and affirmed our right to be treated as a family."

Levchuk noted that the ruling "is a critical legal precedent," but added that it "should not be the only path forward. Ukraine still lacks a law on registered partnerships" – something that has been proposed, but has not moved forward in Ukraine's governing body.

Kis, too, took to social media to celebrate the victory, writing at Facebook, "Now we have a court ruling that confirms the feelings Tymur Levchuk and I have for each other. Sincere thanks to the judge who considered our case."

As Ukraine's efforts to defend itself againt Russia have continued over the last three year, Ukrainians have become more accepting of their LGBTQ+ countrymen. Reports noted that public opinion now stands at 70% in favor of marriage equality.