Canadian Premiere of
“PRIDE of UKRAINE”
The documentary that reveal the history of the LGBT Pride movement in Ukraine
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2015, Toronto, Ontario – The film tells the story of KyivPride, the first attempt of Ukrainian LGBT community to rise up and make their voice be heard by the government. The documentary also includes interviews with activists and allies from Ukraine, Canada and Germany, as well as footage from KyivPride events in 2012, the successful march in 2013, and to the cancelation of the 2014 march.
During Toronto’s Pride Week in 2014, four representatives of Ukraine’s KyivPride visited World Pride and the World Pride Human Rights Conference in Toronto to share the strength of their commitment for securing fundamental human rights of LGBT people. The story of KyivPride inspired Canadian documentary filmmaker, photographer, and trans* activist, Michelle Emson to create the original film “The Pride of Ukraine”. “The goal of the documentary is to give hope,” – says the film’s director, Canadian LGBT activist Michelle Emson. “Hope to motivate people all over the world to see the possibilities and to “Inspire a World of Change” so that LGBT people are safe from persecution and free to simply exist for who they are and love who they chose, wherever they might live in the world”.
In spite of the troubles in Ukraine, the subject of LGBT rights must be maintained. It is not unusual for such rights to be compromised following changes of government and leadership. The new documentary is going to raise awareness about the LGBT rights question in Ukraine in Canada, the US and in Europe.
“Pride of Ukraine” is a project of KyivPride Canada, the new organization lead by both Canadian and Ukrainian human rights advocates. The crew consists of Ukrainian, German and Canadian filmmakers that worked together to create a clear story of KyivPride.
“We are very excited about the documentary since it is going to be the first ever high quality, full story about our fight for LGBT Pride in Ukraine” – says Olena Semenova, the Ukrainian activist, “this story remains untold at this point and represents an important asset in our movement’s history.”
The documentary premiered at the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine and will be presented for its Canadian Premiere at the Carlton Theatre, Toronto on Wednesday May 6th, 2015.
About KyivPride
KyivPride is a public LGBT initiative for raising awareness of LGBT rights in Ukraine by holding the Equality March and week-long festival for the community in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The KyivPride initiative started in 2012 bringing together 20+ LGBT organisations from across the country.
About KyivPride Canada
KyivPride Canada represents the alliance between the Ukrainian and Canadian LGBTQ communities, and their straight allies, in both countries.
https://www.facebook.com/KyivPrideCanada
About Michelle Emson
Michelle Emson is an ‘openly out’ trans-woman living and working in Ontario, Canada. She is Executive Director of KyivPride Canada, documentary filmmaker and an LGBT activist, educator, and keynote speaker.
https://www.facebook.com/michelle.c.emson
About Olena Semenova
Dr. Semenova is a committed LGBT activist in Ukraine, a founding member of KyivPride in Ukraine, and Director of Communications & International Affairs with KyivPride Canada.
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