Thousands of people at marches, near-daily community meetings in Kharkiv, and Prides despite all obstacles — all of this didn’t happen in a day. It results from the systematic work of an initiative group that grew into a large women's organisation. How did it happen? We tell our story through years and events.
Women who wanted to bring women together
Anna Sharyhina met Vira Chernygina at a summer lesbian-feminist camp. At the time, they weren’t activists — just a group of women hanging out and bringing others together. They organised lectures on women's leadership, the nature of homosexuality, and discussions on raising children in same-sex families. This was the beginning of a team that would later bring thousands of people to Prides and women’s rights marches.
We officially registered "WA Sphere" as a non-governmental organisation
We launched the first version of our website, conducted strategic planning, and began appearing in media reports — the first instance being a seminar titled "Spirituality and Sexuality in Faith and Religion", featuring Reverend Diane Fisher and Florin Buhuceanu.
The first feminist action in Kharkiv and meetings for lesbians and bisexual women
This was a street flash mob for 8 March — International Women’s Solidarity Day. Under the slogan "There is no male or female work - only dignified or undignified tasks", eight women washed pots in front of the Regional Council building in Kharkiv.
That same year, we actively united lesbians and bisexual women, striving to create a safe informal space. Vira Chernygina gathered women for football, which was less about the sport itself and more about fostering a friendly community. We watched films about lesbophobia in religion, organised lectures on "The Lesbian Image in Fashion", and conducted a conference on the transformation of family models.
Monthly meetings of the Kharkiv Feminist Studies
We implemented an open self-education project focused on analysing feminist and queer texts, supported by the Heinrich Boell Foundation's Office in Ukraine.
Empowering the strong
We joined the organisation of KyivPride and helped the Ukrainian public organization “Gay Alliance Ukraine” (GAU) open the first closed community centre for the LGBTQ+ community — QueerHome Kharkiv.
That same year, we launched the educational project "Women Solidarity Weeks", aiming to restore the true meaning of 8 March and engage as many women in Kharkiv as possible in the discourse. Our goal was not only to educate women about gender issues but also to demonstrate how to independently overcome gender stereotypes in everyday life.
The first Women’s Solidarity March
"Women Solidarity Weeks" evolved into an annual project. In 2016, we once again organised discussions and lectures on all matters related to women - feminine forms in language, femininity in a new gender reality, military affairs, and even emancipation in architecture.
That year, a new tradition was introduced to the Women Solidarity Weeks - opening the series of events with a March on 8 March. The first march was dedicated to combating violence against women.
In the same year, we launched a psychological support programme, recognising the community’s need for support in mental health matters.
The first public LGBTQ+ action in Kharkiv on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, was conducted in the form of a performance. For the first time, we experienced an attack by ultra-homophobic groups.
We opened the first public LGBTQ+ centre.
We named it PrideHub — a space of empowerment where everyone could be themselves, find support, and contribute to changes in society. We provided education, organised events, and built a safe environment. However, the space endured over 20 attacks, but ultimately did not survive the full-scale invasion and closed in 2022.
We conducted the first KharkivPride
We gathered a march of three thousand people, who came to the streets to declare: "Kharkiv for all. Safety for all," regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Spoiler: this event became an annual tradition — we have never missed it, despite the pandemic and the full-scale invasion.
At the same time, the organisation participated in the Second Biennale of Young Art, adding a cultural dimension to its activities.
We expanded our presence in the digital space
The pandemic set its own rules: we adapted but did not surrender. KharkivPride took place for the second time in a new format — slogans echoed from cars participating in the motor rally.
We launched large-scale information campaigns: "Portraits of LGBTQ+ People", "Museum of Acceptance", and "Reproduction of Famous Paintings". This marked the beginning of a new tradition — telling our stories accurately and effectively through engaging campaigns.
A record-breaking KharkivPride: 2 Hours, 2 Kilometres, Over 3,000 People
Beyond the march, Pride featured numerous actions and performances that creatively highlighted the importance of diversity and equality.
The key demands were: proper investigation of hate crimes, equal access to state institutions, and inclusive education free from bullying.
We remained unbreakable, standing with Ukraine and Kharkiv
We launched a humanitarian programme for the people of the Kharkiv region and psychological support initiatives for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and families of the military.
Our human rights work never stopped: despite the shelling, Kharkiv hosted its fourth Pride — this time in the underground.
We purchased a permanent space for PrideHub
This achievement was made possible thanks to the support of our partners — special thanks to Outright International, MADRE, EPOA, ActionAid UK, Ukrainian Women’s Fund, Embassy of the United States of America in Ukraine, ILGA-Europe, Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism, Razom for Ukraine, We Support LGBTQ Ukraine Fund, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine.
We didn’t miss Pride — it was conducted for the fifth time. We donated stress balls to the blood service centre, board games, and seating arrangements for internally displaced people, organised the wedding of two women, created a photo exhibition in memory of fallen volunteer Elvira Shchemur, and organized a large charity festival. The event concluded with a march.
We reopened PrideHub in a new location
This year, we conducted the sixth KharkivPride in the format of a motor rally. We also brought the community together at our resource centre, hosting festivals, lectures, psychological support events, film screenings, game nights, and more.