STORY: LGBTQ rights supporters marched through the Ukrainian city of Odesa on Sunday (May 17) under heavy police protection for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Pride march participants urged parliament to withdraw a draft bill that contains nearly 2,000 articles aimed at overhauling Ukraine's current civil code.

Activists say the draft, registered in January 2026 by parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and other lawmakers, could replace the Family Code without providing legal recognition for same-sex couples.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) has warned that, if passed, the draft could override previous court rulings recognizing some same-sex couples as families and create legal uncertainty for transgender people and their partners.

LGBTQ advocacy groups in Ukraine say parts of the bill contradict the Copenhagen criteria for European Union membership, which require candidate countries to uphold human rights protections and anti-discrimination standards.

A separate counter-demonstration was also held across the city, with some participants wearing balaclavas and shouting "Tradition, family, order," amid heavy security.

"The police did an excellent job today," said Anna Leonova, head of the NGO Gay Alliance Ukraine. "Despite the provocations that occurred, we managed to safely hold the Pride march without any clashes."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: ODESA, UKRAINE (MAY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PRIDE MARCH SUPPORTERS WALKING WITH LGBT FLAGS AND PLACARDS, PERSON WITH LOUDSPEAKER SAYING (Ukrainian): "We request the withdrawal of the draft bill 15150." (EDITOR'S NOTE: 'Draft Civil Code that would replace the Family Code and which some LGBTQ support groups warn fails to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples.')

2. VARIOUS OF PRIDE MARCH SUPPORTERS STANDING WITH PLACARDS AND SHOUTING (Ukrainian): "THE NATION SEES EVERYTHING"

3. POLICE AND NATIONAL GUARD WALKING

4. POLICE AND NATIONAL GUARD STANDING / PROTESTERS WALKING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) STUDENT, 19, EVELINA STRELCHENKO, SAYING:

"I feel that people (who attended the march) were very pleased with the event and were glad that finally, a Pride march took place in Odesa for the first time since 2022 (outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion)."

6. PRIDE MARCH SUPPORTERS STANDING AND SHOUTING (Ukrainian): "FREEDOM IS OUR TRADITION"

7. POLICE STANDING IN FRONT OF PROTESTERS OPPOSING PRIDE MARCH

8. POLICE STANDING IN FRONT OF PROTESTERS OPPOSING PRIDE MARCH, PEOPLE SHOUTING (Ukrainian): "LGBT AND POLICE ARE IN COALITION"

9. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS OPPOSING PRIDE MARCH WEARING BALACLAVAS, SHOUTING (Ukrainian): "WHO IS THE MASTER OF UKRAINE HERE", "ODESA IS AGAINST PERVERSIONS", "TRADITION, FAMILY, ORDER"

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) HEAD OF NGO GAY ALLIANCE UKRAINE, 46, ANNA LEONOVA, SAYING:

"The police did an excellent job today. Despite the provocations that occurred, we managed to safely hold the Pride march without any clashes, and all participants managed to leave without scuffles or any other provocations."

11. PRIDE MARCH SUPPORTERS WALKING AND SHOUTING (Ukrainian): "FREEDOM IS OUR TRADITION"

12. POLICE OFFICER

13. POLICE OFFICERS / PROTESTERS OPPOSING PRIDE MARCH