GENDER STREAM
We help, we love, we fight together!
90+
People have received medicines. Half of them are T*people
500+
People we have provided with the financial assistance during the full-scale invasion
120+
People have received free psychological support
240+
People were saved from the war in our shelters
We are a feminist inclusive organization that unites Ukrainian and international activists into a professional team.
Together, we are moving towards the strengthening and development of the LGBTQI+ community, internal and external security, and the implementation of equal rights.
We are an organization that operates on the principles of transparency, honesty and focuses its work on the needs of the target audience, which is why we are trusted. We work in partnership with Ukrainian and international organizations to respond to the challenges faced by people excluded from state processes.
projects
“restart” program
map of help
RESEARCH – LGBTQI+ REFUGEES ABROAD
our team
Olha Poliakova
Executive Director
For more than 8 years, I have been working with the implementation of gender policy in the security sector, business processes as well as creation and implementation of strategies for the development of diversity and human rights. In my case – the organization and conduct of trainings and policies for business companies and state institutions in Ukraine. The main anti-discrimination mechanisms are aimed at protecting LGBTQI+ rights and preventing discrimination and violence.
Rina Rybalko
International communications and logistics specialist
I am engaged in logistical support of projects, participate in communication with partners and support the organization’s representation on the international arena.
Heorhii Markov
Assistant Director , coordinator of T*direction of work
Involved in administrative work/work with finances, I am responsible for digitization in the organization, I coordinate the T*direction of work of Gender Stream.
Yuliia Shutkina
Accountant
Accounting and reporting, budgeting, human resources accounting.
khrystyna liakh
Communicator
I build bridges between Gender Stream and the audience. I am engaged in information support of the organization, I manage social networks, I am responsible for cooperation with the media.
Andrii Zhuk
lawyer
I work with all legal aspects of the organization, in particular, with the preparation of initiatives, protection of the rights of LGBT+ people and women who are violated in society. My work is also related to conducting research in the field of human rights violations and promoting anti-discrimination initiatives.
news
GENDER STREAM TOOK PART IN BERLIN CSD PRIDE
HOW TO SUPPORT THE LAW ON REGISTERED PARTNERSHIPS IN UKRAINE
the reseasch About LGBTI+ PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES DUE TO WAR
MEDIA ABOUT US
Here you can find several materials about the activities of Gender Stream and individual members of our team. Our work was covered by Zaborona, Wonderzine, Marketing Media Review, Teen Vogue, the blog of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, UN-Ukraine and others.
KAIA
When the full-scale invasion of the russian federation into Ukraine began, on February 24, my mother and I woke up to sirens and loud explosions. We lived in Kharkiv, my mother was completely bedridden at the time, she had fractured her femoral neck before that. I took her to Uzhhorod, where the people from Gender Steam helped us a lot. We were provided with housing, they helped me draw up all the necessary documents for going abroad, since I am a transgender woman, and I still had gender M in my passport. My mother and I are very grateful to all the people who helped us in such a difficult time, if not these people, I would have already lost my mother because she needed an urgent operation. This organization helped us with transport, and we left for Germany in March. Many thanks to everyone from the Gender Stream organization.
ANTON
When I couldn’t cross the border at night because I didn’t have the necessary documents, I despaired because my mother and grandmother went alone. I was confused because I didn’t know what to do at such a time. But this organization responded to my request at the first night, provided me with shelter, and reassured me that they would help solve this issue. I was given a place to rest, food and a warm shower, which was much needed after traveling for several days. As a trans* man, I was very afraid to go to the military hospital alone during martial law, because I did not know where, to whom and why to go. All issues were resolved in one day, and the next day I was taken straight to the border to make sure that everything would go well. I am very grateful to GS for the help provided to me for free – moral, physical and mental – if it wasn’t for them, I probably would have stayed in a country where there was not a single person from my family and my home.
EVA
It was at a time when I had neither documents with a female marker nor money. I was given everything: money, free accommodation in an unrealistically pleasant environment of girls similar to me; a full meal, removing me from military registration and even escorted me by car to the border for its further crossing. When you no longer believe in any justice and are on the verge of giving up – you find Gender Stream – you are reborn together with the team and move on. Firmly, confidently and without fear ❤️
ALI
I survived! And even crossed the border! It is unlikely that I would have done it without the coordinators, as I was, to put it mildly, in a state of shock. Without a group of people, help, I have no idea what I would do, even with all my strong qualities. Well, after crossing the border, how much was done for me to come to my senses – shelters, lack of questions that I immediately need to get money for food and housing. In a word, Gender Stream played a key role. I will not stop thanking you, it means a lot to me.