Picture this: a scorching August day in Kyiv, and instead of enjoying a cool lemonade on some terrace, we've gathered at the IBIS hotel for an intensive brainstorming session.

Why? Because changing the world isn’t a 9-to-5 job, but a constant process that requires new knowledge and skills.

On the first of August, the National LGBTI Consortium team participated in the training “Advocacy Campaign: How to Be Successful in Constant Change” by Freedom House and ZMINA. And you know what? It was absolutely worth it!

Our guru for the day was Oleksandr Solontay, an expert who, without exaggeration, could be called a rock star in the world of civic initiatives. He shared wisdom with us that makes one ponder and inspires action.

Key insights that turned our understanding of advocacy on its head:

🔥 “There’s no such thing as failed advocacy, only advocacy with delayed success”. This phrase became our mantra for the day. Remember: the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ukraine. It didn’t happen overnight, but we did it! Now, let’s look at the legalisation of same-sex partnerships – this is our new marathon. It might seem impossible today, but each step brings us closer to the goal.

📄 The result of advocacy is always a document. A law, a decree, an order – it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it solidifies change. Remember how we fought for the inclusion of SOGI in anti-discrimination legislation? Every step, every meeting, every protest – all of it led to changes in the document. But let’s not forget about “small victories” – even a company’s internal policy on non-discrimination of LGBTIQ+ employees is also a result of advocacy!

🤝 Advocacy is about allies. It’s not about fighting against someone, but working with those who can support us. For example, when we worked on including LGBTIQ+ issues in the National Human Rights Strategy, our connections with the Ombudsman’s Office and international organisations were key. But let’s not neglect “unexpected” allies – remember how support from the business community helped push the idea of inclusivity in the workplace?

📊 Data is our superpower. Annual reports on the situation of LGBTIQ+ people in Ukraine aren’t just pieces of paper. They’re powerful weapons in an advocate’s hands. Numbers speak louder than words, and politicians understand this.

🌍 International mechanisms aren’t just fancy words. Council of Europe recommendations on LGBTIQ+ rights became our trump card during many advocacy campaigns. And the UN’s Universal Periodic Review? It’s a brilliant opportunity to draw attention to LGBTIQ+ issues at the highest level!

🎭 Creativity is the key to hearts. Advocacy isn’t just about serious meetings and documents. The ability to present routine processes or “boring figures” in an interactive way is half the battle (at least within the stage).

🏋️‍♀️ Endurance is our ace. Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. When we started talking about transgender rights, many thought we were barmy. And today? We have a progressive procedure for changing documents. It took years, but we did it!

🔄 Flexibility is our strength. The world is changing, and we must change with it. Remember how the pandemic forced us to move most advocacy events online? We not only adapted but also discovered new opportunities to engage a wider audience!

What’s next?

We left the training electrified with new ideas and ready to act. Because changes don’t happen by themselves – we create them.

And you? What are your thoughts on LGBTIQ+ rights advocacy in Ukraine? Share in the comments – let’s create change together!

P.S. And remember: every step, even the smallest, brings us closer to the goal. So let’s not stop. Advocacy is a marathon, and we’re in it for the long haul. 🏃‍♂️🌈