LATIKA M BOURKE: David Shoebridge’s Ukraine stand blasted by world Greens, human rights and LGBTQI leaders

Progressive leaders around the world have blasted the new leader of the Australian Greens Party David Shoebridge for opposing military support for Ukraine, saying it would lead to the deaths of members of the LGBTQI community, violates the values the Greens were founded on, self-determination and is akin to opposing the defeat of Nazism.

Ukraine is fighting for its right to exist after President Vladimir Putin, who wants to restore the Russian imperialist empire, invaded the former Soviet Union state in February 2022.

Mr Putin has invoked Christian nationalism to justify his illegal invasion and, as part of his opposition to gay, lesbian and trans relationships, made it illegal to suggest in any way that being gay can be normal or even be praised.

This is in stark contrast to Ukraine, which, along with fighting for its membership in the European Union and NATO, has begun softening its socially conservative views on gay marriage, with support for equal rights as high as 72 per cent according to a survey conducted in July by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology.

LGBTQI fighters do not receive compensation or even visitation rights if their partners are wounded or killed in battle, and nearly two-thirds of the community supports extending these rights.

And while same sex partnerships are still illegal and only supported by 54 per cent of the community, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the issue to be normalised in the public debate.

“We are all here together, we are defending the state, we are the same and we have absolutely the same rights, regardless of any prejudices held by people from the 15th century. We are modern people,” Mr Zelensky said in a rare comment on the issue.

In Australia, both the Labor Government and the former Coalition government have supported Ukraine since the invasion, committing military and humanitarian aid, as well as condemning the invasion.

But after being elected the new leader of the Greens Party, David Shoebridge has said he opposes any Australian military aid for the democratic country, unless its resistance against its invasion is upheld by the United Nations Security Council.

Russia and China, which is bankrolling Russia’s illegal war, both have veto votes on the UNSC, meaning any resolution would be immediately defeated.

Vlad Guz, a gay Ukrainian, LGBTQIA+ advocate and active member of the Ukrainian community in Australia, said he was mostly supportive of Greens policies, but shocked at their stance on Ukraine, given Putin would kill members of the queer community if he took over Kyiv.

“Australian Greens have many great policies and ideas that I agree with, but I was surprised and deeply upset by this turn in their narrative on Ukraine,” he told The Nightly.

“Ukraine is fighting for democracy, freedom and human rights. Ukrainians have chosen to move towards the EU and NATO, but Russia has tried to take that choice away from us by force.

“Without unity and continued support from the rest of the world, Ukraine could fall, more people would be killed, and LGBTQIA+ communities would face persecution by Russian authorities.

“What worries me even more is the message this sends to dictators around the world: that they can invade another country, take what they want, and eventually get away with it if they continue the conflict long enough and wait for the democratic world to lose patience.”

Robin Wagener, who represents the German Green Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag or German Parliament, is currently visiting Ukraine.

He said that opposing colonialism was vital for any democratic and progressive movement.

“Ukraine is defending more than just its own territory; it is defending the European peace order. We are standing together against Russian imperialism and Putin’s increasingly aggressive use of force. Anyone who desires a just peace must support Ukraine in every possible way,” he told The Nightly.

“Naturally, other dictators are also watching closely to see whether Russia’s aggression succeeds and whether democracies stand united. That is why everyone committed to defending international peace, the rules-based order, and liberal democracies must support Ukraine to the best of their ability.”

Australian-born Peter Tatchell, an internationally renowned human rights and LGBTQI campaigner, told The Nightly that Senator Shoebridge’s stance was akin to opposing the defeat of Hitler.

“No one wants the pain of war. But people under violent attack have a right to self-defence. Although tougher sanctions on Russia are a good idea, they won’t stop Russian missiles and drones raining down on Ukrainian civilians,” Mr Tatchell said.

“The Greens’ stance is like saying Australia should not have provided military aid to defend Britain from Nazi attack or to defend Papua and New Guinea against Japanese invasion.

“If Australian cities were being bombed day and night, the Greens would presumably oppose other countries providing military aid for Aussie self-defence? That’s the logic of their no-military-aid position.

“The people of Ukraine are defending their democracy against a fascist imperialist aggressor. Greens are colluding with Putin’s tyranny and war-mongering. They are doing what he wants. This is not consistent with the Greens’ professed commitment to democracy, self-determination and human rights. Think again!”

Senator Shoebridge was contacted for comment.

Mr Tatchell’s intervention is significant, as he is a prominent campaigner against authoritarian leaders and dictators who suppress gays and lesbians and is a well-known member of the UK Greens movement.

On the weekend, the Greens in the UK passed a motion declaring that zionism, supporting the Israeli state, was racism.

Mr Tatchell, a staunch supporter of Palestine, said the motion left him “heartbroken” but was confident it would be defeated as it was supported by new entrants to the party.

“This motion adds nothing of substance. While its defence of Palestinian rights is commendable, its careless, unwise wording has led to accusations of antisemitism,” he said.

“It could lose the Greens public support, undermining the decades of hard work that many of us did to create an effective, credible progressive party.

“A lot of Greens are upset about the motion and the damage it will cause to the party. Already, six people have told me that they are leaving because of the motion. I will stay and fight to amend it, and to make sure it is not in the party’s election manifesto.”