Ukraine’s Court Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage for the First Time, Setting a Landmark Legal Precedent
In a historic milestone for Ukraine, the Dnipro district court in Kyiv has made a groundbreaking ruling by officially recognizing the marriage and cohabitation of two men, marking the first such legal precedent in the country's history. The case involves Ukraine’s first secretary at the embassy in Israel, Zoryan Kisy, and his partner, Timur Levchuk. According to insights provided by LGBTQ advocacy organization Insight, the court determined that the couple has maintained a committed relationship since 2013, which has been recognized both legally and socially. The partners formalized their union through a civil marriage in Ukraine in 2017 and later registered their marriage in the United States in 2021. However, because the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to acknowledge them as a family, the couples had to pursue legal action. The case was heard starting in September 2024, and on June 10, 2025, the court delivered its verdict—affirming their shared residence and familial bonds based on various evidence: joint finances, property, long-term relationship duration, and mutual support. The court's decision was grounded in both the Ukrainian Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law, which emphasizes the state's obligation to protect family life for same-sex couples. Zoryan Kisy expressed joy over this victory, describing it as 'a major and meaningful step toward marriage equality in Ukraine' and 'a small but significant win in our ongoing struggle for the right to simple family happiness.' He also thanked the presiding judge for their careful consideration. The ruling detailed that witness testimonies, photographs, correspondence records, bank statements, and other documentation demonstrating joint living arrangements confirmed the existence of a genuine family unit, as defined under Ukrainian family law. Specifically, the court referenced Article 21, Part 2 of the Ukrainian Family Code, which recognizes de facto marriages between same-sex partners living together and managing shared household affairs even without formal legal marriage. This decision opens new avenues for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Ukraine and marks a step forward in the country's journey toward greater equality and human rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile, in Hungary, recent events included a large LGBT parade that drew over 100,000 participants, which subsequently turned into anti-government protests. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly labeled these events as 'disgusting and shameful,' accusing organizers of orchestrating them from Brussels. These developments highlight the ongoing global debate about LGBTQ rights and the importance of legal protections and social acceptance worldwide.