The Supreme Court of Ukraine has recognized the family relationship between two LGBTQ+ activists. It is a historic precedent.

The Supreme Court of Ukraine has recognized the family relationship between two LGBTQ+ activists. It is a historic precedent.

Ukraine’s Supreme Court has recognised the family relationship between LGBTQ+ activists Zoryan Kis and Timur Levchuk in a ruling described by the organisation Insight LGBTQ as the first of its kind in the country.

According to Insight LGBTQ, the ruling establishes “a monumental precedent” that limits the ability of conservative or homophobic groups to use the courts to challenge decisions favourable to LGBTQ+ people under the pretext of “public morality”.

“This is a monumental precedent. No homophobic or conservative organisation will be able to use the courts as a tool to persecute LGBTQ+ people or overturn decisions in their favour by invoking ‘public morality’. The state has protected the boundaries of private life,” Insight stated.

The case began in June 2024, when Zoryan Kis was appointed First Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel and intended to relocate there with his partner. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused, arguing that their relationship was not officially recognised in Ukraine.

Under these circumstances, Zoryan Kis and Timur Levchuk went to court to have their de facto relationship recognised as a family relationship. In September 2024, their application was dismissed at first instance. In February 2025, the Supreme Court allowed their appeal and sent the case back for reconsideration.

The court subsequently established that Zoryan and Timur live together as a family. The conservative movement “All Together” lodged an appeal, but the Supreme Court ruled that the organisation had no standing to seek a review of the case because it had not been a party to the proceedings.

The couple have been together for more than 12 years. In 2017, they held a symbolic wedding ceremony in Ukraine, and in 2021, they officially registered their marriage in the United States.

The ruling is regarded as a landmark for the legal protection of LGBTQ+ couples in Ukraine, where the state does not yet fully recognise same-sex marriage.