Following the last few weeks of the tragic and devastating war in Ukraine at the hands of Vladimir Putin's Russia, we felt a responsibility to welcome two phenomenal and brilliant young people of Ukrainian descent into the Gayborhood. We're honored this episode to host actor/activist Aleksandr "Sasha" Krapivkin and Adam Odsess-Rubin, the Founding Artistic Director of the National Queer Theater. Sasha and Adam speak to their families' respective heritages as refugees from Ukraine, more than a century apart, with Adam's family immigrating in the wake of the tsarist pogroms and Sasha arriving in America 18 years ago. We discuss their Jewish ancestry and the history of anti-semitism and racism in Ukraine. We then learn more about how the current war with Russia is impacting the queer people of Ukraine and the trans community specifically. In addition to discussing the cultural and linguistic differences between Ukraine and Russia, Sasha also treats us to a staggeringly gorgeous selection from a beloved Ukrainian song, so be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode. Our hearts remain with the Ukrainian people, and we encourage all our listeners to support Ukraine however possible. Go on Instagram to follow Sasha at @aleksandr.krapivkin and Adam at @adamodsessrubin_92, and learn everything you can about the organizations highlighted in this week's Gayborhood Watch: the documentary on the Ukrainian fight for democracy "Winter on Fire;" Black Ukrainian activist Betty Fosho; Ukrainian trans support organization Cohort; LGBTQ refugee support organization Immigration Equality; Canadian NGO Rainbow Railroad; non-profit Razom for Ukraine; Kyiv Pride; Kharkiv Pride; and Direct Help for Ukraine (directhelpforukraine.info), whose website was designed by Gayborhood friend and ally Daria Lavelle. Slava Ukraini, heroyam slava! And don't forget to follow @rogerq.mason, @lovell.holder, @miachanger, and @dgonzalezmusic on Instagram for all your Gayborhood updates.