Kazakhstan Parliament Passes Anti-LGBT Propaganda Law

Kazakhstan’s Parliament passed a controversial law banning “LGBT propaganda,” joining a growing list of nations implementing similar restrictions. The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from human rights activists who argue it institutionalizes discrimination against the LGBT community.

The Central Asian nation follows in the footsteps of Russia, Georgia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan, which have enacted comparable laws. Bulgaria and Hungary, along with the Russia-aligned region of Gagauzia in Moldova, have also implemented similar restrictions, according to activist journalist Rob Salerno.

During a press conference, Kazakhstan’s LGBT activists condemned the new law as “inhumane and homophobic.” Activist Temirlan Baymash expressed concern about its broader societal impact: “We are already facing hatred, and these laws fuel even more hatred against LGBT people. It serves as a distraction from other state problems. The LGBT topic is very convenient for that.”

Fellow activist Zhanar Sekerbayeva highlighted the personal toll of such legislation. “I feel the attacks on the LGBTQ community and my family,” Sekerbayeva said. “Yet not a single man has been prosecuted for this. As one of the vulnerable groups, we are again feeling the schemes of deputies echoing Russian politics.”

MP Irina Smirnova, who announced the decision, claimed the law does not target individuals with “non-traditional sexual orientations” but aims to prevent materials that could “shape such views” among children. Critics, however, argue this framing misrepresents the law’s true impact.

A working group consisting of parliamentarians, NGO representatives, LGBT activists, and human rights experts was established to discuss the draft legislation. However, critics contend the process lacked transparency and that the outcome seemed predetermined before LGBT activists could meaningfully participate.

Human rights defender Tatiana Chernobyl condemned the initiative as “a direct attempt to institutionalize hostility” toward the LGBT community. She emphasized that the legislation contradicts Kazakhstan’s constitutional and international human rights obligations, criticizing lawmakers for denying the legitimacy of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Legal expert Sarsen Aubakirov reinforced these concerns, noting that Kazakhstan’s Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on various characteristics. He suggested the law should be examined by the Constitutional Court for potential constitutional violations.

The new measure represents part of a broader pattern of restricting LGBT visibility in Kazakhstan. In recent years, lawmakers have made multiple attempts to introduce similar bans on what they term the “promotion of nontraditional relations,” although earlier proposals were rejected.

Cultural censorship has also intensified. Former Minister of Culture and Information Dauren Abaev blocked the screening of the animated film “Lightyear,” citing “numerous requests” from concerned citizens regarding its same-sex representation. Such decisions reflect growing institutional pressure to suppress depictions of gender and sexual diversity in Kazakhstani public life.

Earlier this year, authorities shut down selftanu.kz, a website providing resources to help young people navigate questions about sexual orientation and identity. Officials claimed the site violated child protection laws by posting “harmful” content.

Kazakhstan’s move comes amid growing concerns about the spread of anti-LGBT legislation across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, raising questions about the future of human rights protections in the region.