What do you see in the picture? Who are they, where are they? What do you think this story might be about?
Vladyslav and Pavlo are soldiers in the Ukraine army and are a couple. They got engaged the day before this photo was taken and they hope that same-sex civil partnerships will soon be allowed in Ukraine.
LGBTQ+ soldiers in Ukraine have been speaking out about their Pride and about the significance of Eurovision next week after they won the contest in 2022. Vladyslav says, "Ukraine's victory last year showed that Ukraine is invincible and that we can overcome any difficulties and adversities, whether it is a war or a contest. I believe it's a message to the world that despite the war we can show our creativity."
Another LGBTQ+ couple, Antonina, who identifies as non-binary, and Oleksandr, describe the moment Ukraine won Eurovision last year; "It felt like a miracle that Kalush had a chance to represent Ukraine with dignity. I thought, "Oh my god we won Eurovision, we are going to win this war!"
Oleksandr says, "Lots of people said that there were no gay people in the army," and the couple expected to receive homophobic abuse from soldiers when they joined up, but they have been pleasantly surprised; "It's more tolerant than we expected, and I think that is partly because of other LGBTQ+ military who came out." Oleksandr wears a rainbow badge on the front line and both wear another badge in army colours: a unicorn head which has become a symbol for LGBTQ+ soldiers serving in the Ukraine army.
Oleksandr says, "We are looking forward to seeing Ukraine perform in Eurovision this year. We've had very difficult times and Eurovision is like a breath of fresh air because when you see people doing what they like, enjoying what they are doing and that life is still going on, when you see people in Europe supporting Ukraine, that's very important. Especially when you're on the front line."
- Where is Ukraine, what is the war about?
- How do you think winning Eurovision last year affected people in Ukraine? What message do you think they felt from Europe?
- "I believe it's a message to the world that despite the war we can show our creativity." what does this mean?
- "It shows us that life is still going on..." How is Eurovision impacting on these soldiers today as they work on the front line? (what is a 'front line'?)
- "Lots of people said that there were no gay people in the army," why do you think this is?
- Antonina tells us she is non-binary; what does that mean? (gender identity that is neither make or female) What pronouns should we use for a person who is non-binary? (if you have to use pronouns, ask them, they will tell you)
- Why does Oleksandr choose to wear a rainbow badge, why does he want people to know?
- The unicorn is an interesting choice of a symbol for LGBTQ+ soldiers, why do you think this was chosen (rather than a lion, a dolphin or a hedgehog, for example)
- Vladyslav and Pavlo got engaged, yet they cannot marry or have a civil partnership in Ukraine. So what is the point of getting engaged?
- Vladyslav and Pavlo are fighting for a country that does not legally recognise their relationship. How do you think this makes them feel? What should they do about that? Can they do anything about that?
- What can we do about it? (we can tell their story, talk about it and show our support by making sure in the place where we are, that LGBTQ+ people are respected).
- Should we all vote for Ukraine in Eurovision this year to support Vladyslav and Pavlo, Oleksandr and Antonina? Do you think that is what they would want? (You can vote for whatever country you want on the night; it is your choice- which British values is that about? (democracy))
- What can we learn from Vladyslav and Pavlo, Oleksandr and Antonina?
- Why is this about No Outsiders?
- Which British values are referenced in this assembly?
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