LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan: the new “LGBT propaganda” law and its consequences
Introduction
Kazakhstan has adopted a law that will enter into force in 2026 banning so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation” — in essence, a full analogue of Russia’s anti-LGBT law. On December 30, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the relevant amendments, and the authorities say the measure is intended “to protect children.” Human rights defenders and activists, however, warn that the new law grossly violates human rights and will only deepen stigma and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
Even now, cases of abductions, attacks, and harassment of activists are being recorded in the country in connection with their public statements and research on LGBTQ+ issues. The ban on “LGBT propaganda” risks legitimizing discrimination, raising the level of aggression, and effectively pushing queer communities out of public space.
At the same time, the situation with LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan was dangerous even before the law was adopted. Same-sex couples cannot marry or adopt children. Trans people must undergo surgical intervention to change their gender marker in documents — a requirement that results in the person losing the ability to have children. In addition, transgender people are not allowed to adopt children or become legal guardians. Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code contains provisions labeled “muzhelozhstvo” and “lesbianism”: the elements of the offense and the penalties mirror those described under the article on “rape.” These provisions are applied when sexualized violence is committed by a person of the same sex as the victim. LGBTQ+ people’s labor rights are not protected; discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in hiring is not punishable.
Kazakhstan has adopted a law that will enter into force in 2026 banning so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation” — in essence, a full analogue of Russia’s anti-LGBT law. On December 30, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the relevant amendments, and the authorities say the measure is intended “to protect children.” Human rights defenders and activists, however, warn that the new law grossly violates human rights and will only deepen stigma and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
Even now, cases of abductions, attacks, and harassment of activists are being recorded in the country in connection with their public statements and research on LGBTQ+ issues. The ban on “LGBT propaganda” risks legitimizing discrimination, raising the level of aggression, and effectively pushing queer communities out of public space.
At the same time, the situation with LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan was dangerous even before the law was adopted. Same-sex couples cannot marry or adopt children. Trans people must undergo surgical intervention to change their gender marker in documents — a requirement that results in the person losing the ability to have children. In addition, transgender people are not allowed to adopt children or become legal guardians. Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code contains provisions labeled “muzhelozhstvo” and “lesbianism”: the elements of the offense and the penalties mirror those described under the article on “rape.” These provisions are applied when sexualized violence is committed by a person of the same sex as the victim. LGBTQ+ people’s labor rights are not protected; discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in hiring is not punishable.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a package of legislative amendments, which, among other things, provide for a ban on “LGBT propaganda.”
The new law banning “LGBT propaganda”
The law directly prohibits any public dissemination of information about LGBTQ+ people that could be perceived as forming a positive attitude toward same-sex relationships or gender diversity. A wide range of materials could fall under the definition of “propaganda” — from any positive mention of LGBTQ+ people to academic research and journalistic articles, if the authorities interpret them as “normalizing” or “justifying” queer relationships. In practice, almost any mention of LGBT+ topics in public or online risks becoming illegal.
Violations carry administrative penalties: fines, blocking of materials, and — in the case of repeated violations — administrative arrest for up to 10 days. Officials insist that being LGBTQ+ is not itself an offense; however, any positive statements about LGBTQ+ people can now be punished.
Following the Russian template, Kazakhstan’s law explicitly lists “non-traditional sexual orientation” and pedophilia in the same clause, separated by commas — a propaganda technique designed to impose a false association between LGBTQ+ people and a threat to children. Human rights defenders note that equating consensual same-sex relationships between competent adults with crimes against children is a crude manipulation that in no way contributes to the real protection of minors. On the contrary, under the pretext of “protecting children,” the authorities introduce censorship and restrictions that contradict the constitutional principle of equal rights for all citizens.
Pressure on the community and activists’ response
Even before the law was passed, the situation for LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan had been rapidly deteriorating. In 2024–2025, authorities repeatedly attempted to push a ban on “LGBT propaganda” through various draft laws, while pressure on queer activists intensified in parallel.
Over recent months, there have been reports of abductions, beatings, and arbitrary detentions of participants in LGBTQ+ initiatives for public speaking, research, and peaceful expression of opinion. For example, in October 2025, security forces abducted activist Aziyat Agishev after he criticized an anti-LGBT bill; he was held incommunicado and beaten, and released only under public pressure.
In November of the same year, in Astana, a provocation took place during a closed presentation of a study on the situation of LGBTQ+ people: aggressively minded individuals burst into the venue, after which police detained not the attackers but human rights defender Ardja Tursynkhan — a person with a disability — and sent him to a temporary detention facility (IVS), where he was tortured and humiliated. The next day, provocateurs succeeded in having two more leaders of the queer.kz initiative detained in a café on a far-fetched pretext.
Community activists say they are effectively being hunted: they regularly receive threats, are tracked down, and intimidated — with the clear acquiescence of the authorities. In this atmosphere of fear, Kazakhstan’s human rights organizations attempted to resist the adoption of the discriminatory law. In November 2025, the Education Community, Queer KZ, and Feminita initiatives jointly launched a petition against the ban on LGBTQ+ “propaganda,” emphasizing that Kazakhstan is a sovereign state and should not copy repressive models from elsewhere. The petition stated that the proposed law has nothing to do with protecting children, as its authors claim, but instead fuels social hostility, leads to harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, and contradicts the Constitution of Kazakhstan.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Culture and Information rejected the petition on formal grounds (allegedly due to the absence of the initiator’s address and email), and additionally labeled it a “threat to the constitutional order.” Activists called the refusal a clear manifestation of bias and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, saying they were being deprived of a lawful opportunity to participate in the discussion of public decisions. Human rights defenders from Education Community, Queer KZ, and Feminita stated their intention to appeal the Ministry’s actions and continue fighting for transparency and equal civic participation.
The international community also reacted critically to Kazakhstan’s initiative. A number of international NGOs — Civil Rights Defenders, Human Rights Watch, Helsinki committees, and others — urged parliament to abandon the law, stressing its inconsistency with Kazakhstan’s international obligations and the threat it poses to freedom of expression, health, and access to information, including for young people themselves. In a joint statement, human rights groups noted that the law would impact not only LGBTQ+ people, but also journalists, scholars, artists, and activists, who could be punished simply for covering the topic or supporting LGBTQ+ rights publicly or online. Despite these warnings, the authorities advanced the law — and concerns voiced by rights defenders are now beginning to be borne out.
Discrimination and violence: what the research found
In 2025, Education Community conducted a large-scale study on how discrimination affects the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Kazakhstan. The study surveyed 601 community members (from 13-year-old teenagers to adults up to 51) and conducted 21 in-depth interviews. The findings paint an alarming picture. Nearly 90% of respondents do not feel supported by the state, and 67% said they feel no support at all. 88% rate their level of protection as low or very low, and almost no one considers it high. Overall, 45% said they never or almost never feel safe. The greatest threat is perceived to come from police officers: 75% never feel safe around them. Respondents also fear teachers and educators (50%) and even their own family (39%). A high level of insecurity is also reported in public places among strangers, in the workplace, and in educational institutions.
Every second respondent has experienced one or more forms of violence at least once due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 41% reported violence on these grounds. The most common sources of aggression were strangers on the street (49% of cases) and internet users (48%). However, a significant share of LGBTQ+ people also suffer abuse from those close to them: in every fourth case, the perpetrators were family members. Other frequently named aggressors included classmates/peers and co-workers.
At the same time, the protection system is effectively non-functional: only 2% of survivors reported incidents to law enforcement. The main reasons for not seeking help were complete distrust of the police (58%) and the belief that reporting would change nothing (51%). Many also fear that filing a report would lead to their orientation being exposed, further harassment, or retaliation by perpetrators. As a result, the overwhelming majority of violence goes unpunished, creating an atmosphere of total vulnerability and fear.
The survey also revealed severe psychological distress among LGBTQ+ youth. Only 2% of all respondents rated their emotional state as excellent, while about a third described it as poor or very poor. Minors are especially vulnerable: half of LGBTQ+ teenagers under 17 often or constantly experience depression; 52% had suicidal thoughts over the past year; and around 30% attempted suicide. 44% of LGBTQ+ school students and 45% of college students admitted they never feel safe in educational institutions because of their identity. Bullying is widespread: 69% faced mocking and insults, 59% social isolation, and 28% physical violence. Aggressors were not only other students (91% of cases) but also teachers themselves (25%). In more than one third of school bullying cases, the administration and teachers provided no support to the affected teenager. The state system not only fails to protect LGBTQ+ citizens, but can itself pose a threat. In healthcare, for example, 42% never feel safe when seeking medical care, and 80% consider medical staff incompetent in working with LGBTQ+ patients. Transgender people suffer particularly: 59% of trans respondents never feel safe with a doctor.
Almost one in three reported discrimination in clinics: doctors delivered “lectures” on how to “fix” themselves, behaved rudely, or disclosed confidential information without consent. As a result, 57% began seeking medical help less often out of fear of humiliation, and 45% completely lost trust in state healthcare. Notably, 94% of those affected did not even try to file complaints — people simply do not believe their rights will be protected.
What the “LGBT propaganda” ban threatens
According to LGBTQ+ community members themselves, the new law will directly undermine their safety and freedoms. More than 90% of respondents said the ban would affect their lives very negatively or rather negatively; a majority (56%) expect extremely negative consequences. Nearly 94% believe such norms will lead to increased hatred and violence in society.
People are especially worried about children and teenagers: 79% believe discriminatory laws are particularly dangerous for LGBTQ+ children, pushing them underground and exposing them to even greater risk of bullying and psychological trauma. Thus, instead of the claimed “protection” of youth, the law puts vulnerable teenagers at risk and makes it even harder for them to access support and information. Negative consequences are expected not only socially, but for the country as a whole.
According to Education Community’s research, the ban may trigger an outflow of Kazakhstan’s most educated, qualified, and financially secure LGBTQ+ citizens. Nearly one in two respondents said that if homophobic legislation is tightened, they would seriously consider emigrating. Among those planning to leave, people with higher education (including master’s degrees) and stable incomes predominate; the main reasons given are the absence of legal protection (78%) and an unsafe environment (73%). This creates a risk of a large-scale “brain drain.”
Kazakhstan’s reputation as a state that respects human rights may also be undermined: a discriminatory law signals to investors and international partners a slide toward authoritarianism. Economists estimate that homophobia can cost states hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to reduced investment and lower population productivity. Human rights defenders are united in the view that the law banning “LGBT propaganda” will cause enormous harm. It legalizes stigma and discrimination, deprives thousands of citizens of freedom of expression and self-expression, obstructs access to vital information (for example, about health or one’s rights), and effectively encourages aggressors. Kazakhstan, which declares equality before the law, introduces inequality by prohibiting the public existence of a particular group of people. Russia’s experience has clearly shown what such a policy leads to: over the decade after the adoption of a similar law there, the number of “propaganda” cases and incidents of hate-motivated violence rose sharply. Kazakhstan’s law is already being described as a carbon copy of the Russian model of repression.
The human rights community’s final position is unequivocal: the “LGBT propaganda” law is a step backwards for human rights and civil liberties. It solves none of the problems it claims to address, but deepens societal divisions and creates an atmosphere of fear for LGBTQ+ people. Instead of protecting children, the state effectively deprives them of alternative viewpoints and support, imposing a single “acceptable” heteronormativity. International observers and human rights organizations strongly recommend repealing the law and focusing instead on real measures to prevent discrimination and violence. Only rejecting a policy of hatred and adhering to principles of equality can ensure the safety and unity of all citizens of Kazakhstan regardless of identity.
Sources
The law directly prohibits any public dissemination of information about LGBTQ+ people that could be perceived as forming a positive attitude toward same-sex relationships or gender diversity. A wide range of materials could fall under the definition of “propaganda” — from any positive mention of LGBTQ+ people to academic research and journalistic articles, if the authorities interpret them as “normalizing” or “justifying” queer relationships. In practice, almost any mention of LGBT+ topics in public or online risks becoming illegal.
Violations carry administrative penalties: fines, blocking of materials, and — in the case of repeated violations — administrative arrest for up to 10 days. Officials insist that being LGBTQ+ is not itself an offense; however, any positive statements about LGBTQ+ people can now be punished.
Following the Russian template, Kazakhstan’s law explicitly lists “non-traditional sexual orientation” and pedophilia in the same clause, separated by commas — a propaganda technique designed to impose a false association between LGBTQ+ people and a threat to children. Human rights defenders note that equating consensual same-sex relationships between competent adults with crimes against children is a crude manipulation that in no way contributes to the real protection of minors. On the contrary, under the pretext of “protecting children,” the authorities introduce censorship and restrictions that contradict the constitutional principle of equal rights for all citizens.
Pressure on the community and activists’ response
Even before the law was passed, the situation for LGBTQ+ rights in Kazakhstan had been rapidly deteriorating. In 2024–2025, authorities repeatedly attempted to push a ban on “LGBT propaganda” through various draft laws, while pressure on queer activists intensified in parallel.
Over recent months, there have been reports of abductions, beatings, and arbitrary detentions of participants in LGBTQ+ initiatives for public speaking, research, and peaceful expression of opinion. For example, in October 2025, security forces abducted activist Aziyat Agishev after he criticized an anti-LGBT bill; he was held incommunicado and beaten, and released only under public pressure.
In November of the same year, in Astana, a provocation took place during a closed presentation of a study on the situation of LGBTQ+ people: aggressively minded individuals burst into the venue, after which police detained not the attackers but human rights defender Ardja Tursynkhan — a person with a disability — and sent him to a temporary detention facility (IVS), where he was tortured and humiliated. The next day, provocateurs succeeded in having two more leaders of the queer.kz initiative detained in a café on a far-fetched pretext.
Community activists say they are effectively being hunted: they regularly receive threats, are tracked down, and intimidated — with the clear acquiescence of the authorities. In this atmosphere of fear, Kazakhstan’s human rights organizations attempted to resist the adoption of the discriminatory law. In November 2025, the Education Community, Queer KZ, and Feminita initiatives jointly launched a petition against the ban on LGBTQ+ “propaganda,” emphasizing that Kazakhstan is a sovereign state and should not copy repressive models from elsewhere. The petition stated that the proposed law has nothing to do with protecting children, as its authors claim, but instead fuels social hostility, leads to harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, and contradicts the Constitution of Kazakhstan.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Culture and Information rejected the petition on formal grounds (allegedly due to the absence of the initiator’s address and email), and additionally labeled it a “threat to the constitutional order.” Activists called the refusal a clear manifestation of bias and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, saying they were being deprived of a lawful opportunity to participate in the discussion of public decisions. Human rights defenders from Education Community, Queer KZ, and Feminita stated their intention to appeal the Ministry’s actions and continue fighting for transparency and equal civic participation.
The international community also reacted critically to Kazakhstan’s initiative. A number of international NGOs — Civil Rights Defenders, Human Rights Watch, Helsinki committees, and others — urged parliament to abandon the law, stressing its inconsistency with Kazakhstan’s international obligations and the threat it poses to freedom of expression, health, and access to information, including for young people themselves. In a joint statement, human rights groups noted that the law would impact not only LGBTQ+ people, but also journalists, scholars, artists, and activists, who could be punished simply for covering the topic or supporting LGBTQ+ rights publicly or online. Despite these warnings, the authorities advanced the law — and concerns voiced by rights defenders are now beginning to be borne out.
Discrimination and violence: what the research found
In 2025, Education Community conducted a large-scale study on how discrimination affects the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Kazakhstan. The study surveyed 601 community members (from 13-year-old teenagers to adults up to 51) and conducted 21 in-depth interviews. The findings paint an alarming picture. Nearly 90% of respondents do not feel supported by the state, and 67% said they feel no support at all. 88% rate their level of protection as low or very low, and almost no one considers it high. Overall, 45% said they never or almost never feel safe. The greatest threat is perceived to come from police officers: 75% never feel safe around them. Respondents also fear teachers and educators (50%) and even their own family (39%). A high level of insecurity is also reported in public places among strangers, in the workplace, and in educational institutions.
Every second respondent has experienced one or more forms of violence at least once due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. 41% reported violence on these grounds. The most common sources of aggression were strangers on the street (49% of cases) and internet users (48%). However, a significant share of LGBTQ+ people also suffer abuse from those close to them: in every fourth case, the perpetrators were family members. Other frequently named aggressors included classmates/peers and co-workers.
At the same time, the protection system is effectively non-functional: only 2% of survivors reported incidents to law enforcement. The main reasons for not seeking help were complete distrust of the police (58%) and the belief that reporting would change nothing (51%). Many also fear that filing a report would lead to their orientation being exposed, further harassment, or retaliation by perpetrators. As a result, the overwhelming majority of violence goes unpunished, creating an atmosphere of total vulnerability and fear.
The survey also revealed severe psychological distress among LGBTQ+ youth. Only 2% of all respondents rated their emotional state as excellent, while about a third described it as poor or very poor. Minors are especially vulnerable: half of LGBTQ+ teenagers under 17 often or constantly experience depression; 52% had suicidal thoughts over the past year; and around 30% attempted suicide. 44% of LGBTQ+ school students and 45% of college students admitted they never feel safe in educational institutions because of their identity. Bullying is widespread: 69% faced mocking and insults, 59% social isolation, and 28% physical violence. Aggressors were not only other students (91% of cases) but also teachers themselves (25%). In more than one third of school bullying cases, the administration and teachers provided no support to the affected teenager. The state system not only fails to protect LGBTQ+ citizens, but can itself pose a threat. In healthcare, for example, 42% never feel safe when seeking medical care, and 80% consider medical staff incompetent in working with LGBTQ+ patients. Transgender people suffer particularly: 59% of trans respondents never feel safe with a doctor.
Almost one in three reported discrimination in clinics: doctors delivered “lectures” on how to “fix” themselves, behaved rudely, or disclosed confidential information without consent. As a result, 57% began seeking medical help less often out of fear of humiliation, and 45% completely lost trust in state healthcare. Notably, 94% of those affected did not even try to file complaints — people simply do not believe their rights will be protected.
What the “LGBT propaganda” ban threatens
According to LGBTQ+ community members themselves, the new law will directly undermine their safety and freedoms. More than 90% of respondents said the ban would affect their lives very negatively or rather negatively; a majority (56%) expect extremely negative consequences. Nearly 94% believe such norms will lead to increased hatred and violence in society.
People are especially worried about children and teenagers: 79% believe discriminatory laws are particularly dangerous for LGBTQ+ children, pushing them underground and exposing them to even greater risk of bullying and psychological trauma. Thus, instead of the claimed “protection” of youth, the law puts vulnerable teenagers at risk and makes it even harder for them to access support and information. Negative consequences are expected not only socially, but for the country as a whole.
According to Education Community’s research, the ban may trigger an outflow of Kazakhstan’s most educated, qualified, and financially secure LGBTQ+ citizens. Nearly one in two respondents said that if homophobic legislation is tightened, they would seriously consider emigrating. Among those planning to leave, people with higher education (including master’s degrees) and stable incomes predominate; the main reasons given are the absence of legal protection (78%) and an unsafe environment (73%). This creates a risk of a large-scale “brain drain.”
Kazakhstan’s reputation as a state that respects human rights may also be undermined: a discriminatory law signals to investors and international partners a slide toward authoritarianism. Economists estimate that homophobia can cost states hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to reduced investment and lower population productivity. Human rights defenders are united in the view that the law banning “LGBT propaganda” will cause enormous harm. It legalizes stigma and discrimination, deprives thousands of citizens of freedom of expression and self-expression, obstructs access to vital information (for example, about health or one’s rights), and effectively encourages aggressors. Kazakhstan, which declares equality before the law, introduces inequality by prohibiting the public existence of a particular group of people. Russia’s experience has clearly shown what such a policy leads to: over the decade after the adoption of a similar law there, the number of “propaganda” cases and incidents of hate-motivated violence rose sharply. Kazakhstan’s law is already being described as a carbon copy of the Russian model of repression.
The human rights community’s final position is unequivocal: the “LGBT propaganda” law is a step backwards for human rights and civil liberties. It solves none of the problems it claims to address, but deepens societal divisions and creates an atmosphere of fear for LGBTQ+ people. Instead of protecting children, the state effectively deprives them of alternative viewpoints and support, imposing a single “acceptable” heteronormativity. International observers and human rights organizations strongly recommend repealing the law and focusing instead on real measures to prevent discrimination and violence. Only rejecting a policy of hatred and adhering to principles of equality can ensure the safety and unity of all citizens of Kazakhstan regardless of identity.
Sources
- Education Community — Report on the social consequences of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people in Kazakhstan, 2026 (survey data).
- Memorial / queer.kz — Overview of the adoption of the “LGBT propaganda” law in Kazakhstan, January 2026.
- Radio Azattyk — News coverage of the signing of the law and the reaction of human rights defenders, December 2025.
- BES.media — Report from a roundtable on the situation of LGBTQ+ people and the study’s findings, November 2025.
- Orda.kz — Materials on petitions and statements by Kazakh activists, 2024–2025.
Research and reports by Education Community, used for this article