LGBTQ+ members are joining the Ukrainian army to fight against Russia's invasion amid fears a Russian occupation would make the country unsafe for them.
Just over a month ago, Arthur Ozerov was looking after his bee colony and making a name for himself as a drag performer in Kyiv under the stage name AuRa.
But now, dressed in a camouflage uniform, Ozerov helps defend his country in war.
On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine, so far killing thousands of civilians and causing millions to flee the country.
It is Ozerov's love for his country that caused his life to take a different direction.
"I love my country. Therefore, I decided that I should make every effort to somehow help," Ozerov told LGBTQ Nation.
"I can’t just sit home and watch how people are killed, houses are destroyed."
The 32-year-old is an openly gay man that joined the battle against Russian forces at the start of March.
"We are different, we think differently, we present each in his own way. It doesn't matter what you're wearing. You wear a wig and use cosmetics, or with bristles on your face in everyday life. Our main goal is a victory for which we are ready for anything. Glory to Ukraine," he posted on Instagram.
This follows reports of many LGBTQ+ Ukrainians either fleeing the country or signing up to fight the invasion amid fears of what may happen under Russian occupation.
Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Russia, and NPR reported that Russian forces may target gay Ukrainians specifically. They did this in parts of eastern Ukraine that have been occupied by Russia since 2014.
According to CBS News, the LGBTQ+ community in Ukraine is organising support for the army to fight against the Russian threat.
"In Russia, LGBTQ people are persecuted," a Ukrainian LGBTQ+ rights supporter told the outlet. "If we imagine that Russia occupies all of Ukraine or just a big part of the country, they won't allow us to exist peacefully and to fight for our rights as we are able to do that in Ukraine right now."
Same-sex marriage is banned in both Ukraine and Russia, however, homosexuality is legal in Ukraine.
