This picture went around the world and shocked everyone: Svyatoslav Sheremet, head of the "Gay Forum", is brutally attacked by right-wing extremist Ultras on the fringes of the cancelled Gay Pride. While the human rights situation in the host country Ukraine was the subject of critical debate in Germany before the European Championships, not much of this was to be seen or heard during the tournament. I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING spoke to Svyatoslav Sheremet about the attack, the atmosphere during the European Championships and the absurd anti-homosexuality laws.
You're lying huddled on the floor. Three youths attack you and kick you. This photo went around the world and shocked many people. How do you feel today when you think back to it?
I was very unwell for the first two weeks after the attack. I went to various clinics immediately after the attack. I was diagnosed with concussion and a bruise. I also had to see an eye specialist because of the pepper spray attack. However, the attack could possibly lead to permanent damage. I hope not, but that's the bad news. The good news is that because of my build - I'm very strong and muscular - I didn't end up with any major broken bones or internal injuries. I'm very happy about that.
How did the situation come about?
It was the 20th of May. We had just held a press conference on the fringes of the cancelled Gay Pride. A group of Ultras were watching us. The first attacks started during the event. After we had finished, my colleague and I took a taxi to leave the place as quickly as possible. But we were followed by a total of seven young people. And then the incident happened in a back courtyard. They incapacitated me with pepper spray so that I fell to the ground. I tried to protect myself as best I could. They kicked me in the head and upper body. When I realised I could open my eyes and feel my body, I got up and ran away. A few journalists saw the chase and that's how the photo came about. My friend called the police and the case was taken up. Now the attackers are facing legal proceedings.
You are a gay activist in your country. And as we've all seen, that can be very dangerous. What is your motivation to keep fighting?
My motivation is quite simply that I am fighting for my free life, for a better life for myself and the others who are yet to come. Nothing is more natural for a person than to fight for their own needs, right? I've been known as a gay activist since 2004 and nothing has ever happened to me since. This was the first attack. I'm not going to let that scare me. Because there are many people in the country who are fighting for LGBT rights. In 2010, a survey of LGBT people in Ukraine showed that 24 per cent would take to the streets. Last year, a group that we supported really wanted to take to the streets. As experienced activists, our task was to protect them and send a political signal with our Pride. That's why I'm on the organising committee and not because I want to march on the streets.
The European Championship is in full swing in your country. You get the impression that homophobia and human rights are no longer being discussed at all at the moment. In Germany, there is hardly any coverage of the situation in Ukraine. The focus is solely on football. How do you feel about that at the moment?
There have been no homophobic attacks since the start of the European Championships, otherwise we would definitely have heard about them. Some foreign fans more or less show that they are gay, but they don't provoke because they have been warned and deterred by the Western media. They know that Ukraine is a homophobic country. Although sometimes I wish they would provoke a little more. Even if one or two fans were provocative, not much would happen. Ukrainian homophobia is very passive. You wouldn't hit them straight away, but rather avoid such situations. The police are very tolerant of minor offences by foreign fans and they can get away with more than they normally would.
People in Ukraine have many cultural prejudices. It is the legacy of the Soviet era, when homosexuality was considered a criminal offence. The majority are convinced that homosexuality is a disease and must be treated.
There is now a draft law in Ukraine that would penalise public speaking about or showing homosexuality. How far has this legislative initiative progressed?
There is a parliamentary election in Ukraine this autumn. The motivation behind the abstruse draft laws of two parliamentary groups, including the Communist Party, is actually just that they want to catch votes as individual candidates. The bills are currently being scrutinised. Specifically, it states: Anyone who spreads information about homosexuality is liable to prosecution. And that is all very, very open to interpretation. Thankfully, international pressure is relatively high. The UN and many human rights organisations have appealed directly to parliament. Nevertheless, the chances of the law being passed are 50:50.
What needs to change in society and in the state so that you and your friends can live your lives openly and confidently?
The low standard of living is an important reason. If you live badly, you look for people to blame. And many gays are doing well materially. You look for enemies of your own happiness. The search for a scapegoat is a characteristic of the poorer classes and also affects gays. In addition, there is very conservative legislation here, i.e. no prostitution, a ban on porn, and lots of morality laws. In other words, sexuality is repressed in Ukraine and hatred towards gays is growing. Because from their point of view, gays have a more fulfilling sex life, they are more open and permissive about it. These barriers have to disappear, nothing will happen before then.
If you could see your attackers from back then again one by one, talk to them... What would you say to them?
I found the group of attackers in the social networks. Not the attackers directly, but a part of the group. I had an open discussion with them and realised that they have a very primitive idea of gays.
There were initiators of the attack. Those who attacked me are only the perpetrators. They unknowingly and naively turned themselves into criminals. It's important to get to the people behind the attack. The court proceedings will take three months and I hope that the real criminals will be caught in that time.
Interview: Juliane Böthner
