Beauty Salon Employee Fired in Kyiv Over Protest at LGBT March

In Kyiv, the administration of the beauty salon G×Kyiv has terminated its contract with employee Yuliana Kaznodiy following an incident at the KyivPride march. A video circulated on social media showing the young woman, who is also a student at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, stepping on a rainbow flag.

Initially, the management announced an internal review. However, following public appeals from the human rights organizations KyivPride and UkrainePride, the decision was made to dismiss the employee immediately. In an official statement, the salon’s representatives noted that their brand concept is built on “everyone’s right to be themselves.” The young woman’s actions were described as “unacceptable” because they contradict corporate principles of inclusivity.

Yuliana herself commented on the situation on social media. According to the Union of Orthodox Journalists , she stated that her views on the institution of the family “differ radically” from the LGBT community’s agenda. “I have my own beliefs, values, and life experience. They formed me as a person, and I have a right to them just as everyone has a right to their own views,” she explained, also apologizing to anyone whose feelings might have been hurt by her actions. Nevertheless, the G×Kyiv salon has permanently ended its cooperation with her.