Kazakhstan, Asia

Kazakhstan is ranked as the ninth largest country in the world as well as the world's largest landlocked country; it has a territory greater than Western Europe. It has a population density of less than 6 people per square km (15 per sq mi). Since independence, Kazakhstan has pursued a balanced foreign policy and worked to develop its economy, especially its hydrocarbon industry. While the country's economic outlook is improving, President Nazarbayev maintains repressive control over the country's politics. Kazakhstan declared independence on December 16, 1991. It was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence.
Kazakhstan has no sodomy laws, the age of sexual consent is 18 for all. In 1991 that the first gay group in Kazakhstan was founded. Male homosexuality was then illegal, and the group was subject to violence and threats at the hands of the Ministry of the Interior. The group however successfully campaigned for the repeal of the law prohibiting male homosexuality and it is now legal.

 

 

Report on Violations of LGBT People’s Rights in Kazakhstan in 2022

f discrimination by medical professionals, most of which are related to doctors disclosing patients’ personal data. In 2022, ECOM registered more cases of extreme violence against queer people in Kazakhstan compared to previous years, including a case of conversion therapy and the use of cold weapons. The following main barriers were identified in the legal… Read more »

Adam Rippon leads tributes for Olympic figure skater stabbed to death

Denis Ten was only 25 years old The figure skating world is in mourning after thieves murdered 25-year-old Olympic figure skater, Denis Ten. The Olympic medallist was stabbed to death in Almaty, Kazakhstan after reportedly trying to stop men from stealing his car mirrors. He was taken to hospital with severe bleeding where he died… Read more »

Anti-‘gay propaganda’ bill blocked in Kazakhstan

Opponents of human rights for LGBTI people in Kazakhstan suffered a setback last week, as the nation’s Constitutional Council blocked enactment of a Russian-style anti-“gay propaganda” bill. The council announced on May 26 that it rejected the bill last week on the grounds that it contained “vague and ambiguous definitions and terms.” Last August, the… Read more »

Activists petition lawmakers as Kazakh politicians ratchet up anti-gay stance

Kazakhstan: Kazakh gay activists are petitioning local lawmakers do away with the gay propaganda law and other discriminatory statutes in Kazakhstan even as many politicians have ratcheted up their homophobic stance by calling for blood tests to determine and single out people as gay. A group of social activists from Almaty, the country’s largest city… Read more »

Kazakhstan gay bar poster wins award but sparks outrage

Kazakhstan: An advertisement for a gay club showing a Kazakh composer kissing one of the greatest Russian poets has won an international award but has sparked outrage for what many consider is a national insult. The ad created by Havas Worldwide Kazakhstan for the “Studio 69? gay bar and club in Almaty shows an image… Read more »

Gay club advert sparks controversy in Kazakhstan

Advertising firm responsible for poster featuring Russian poet Alexander Pushkin kissing Kazakh composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly has promised not to display it in public after widespread complaint. EurasiaNet reports An advert featuring an image of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and Kazakh composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly kissing has sparked widespread complaint in Kazakhstan. The poster – which features… Read more »

Lawmaker calls for ban on gay sex in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan lawmaker Bakhytbek Smagul has called for his country’s LGBT community to be driven underground and wants to outlaw same-sex relationships A lawmaker in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan wants to close all the gay bars in his country and have people locked up for being gay. Homosexuality has been legal in Kazakhstan since… Read more »

Kazakhstan plans Russia-style ‘gay propaganda’ laws

Politicians in the former Soviet state want to follow in Mother Russia’s footsteps in banning Gay Pride, LGBT-friendly clubs and ‘disgusting relations’ Kazakhstan could be following in the footsteps of Russia and planning ‘gay propaganda’ laws. According to local media, members of parliament (MPs) believe the former Soviet country needs a law to ban gay… Read more »

Interview: Lack Of Data On Gay Men Impedes HIV Fight In Central Asia

In recent years, the countries of Central Asia have experienced some of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. One of the key populations at risk is men who have sex with men (MSM).owever, an acute lack of data on the health of that population — due in large part to intense… Read more »

Gay Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan News & Reports 2011

Gay Middle East Web Site More information about Islam & Homosexuality al-fatiha-news Middle East Youth These Everyday Humiliations: Violence Against Lesbians, Bisexual Women, and Transgender Men Gay Islam discussion groups: Muslim Gay Men     LGBT muslim Queer Jihad           Bi-muslims Trans-muslims       Lesbian muslims 1 Gay Activists in Central Asia Train Professional Defenders 4/11 2 New Gender Marker… Read more »

The 2nd International LGBT festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan

The 2nd International LGBT festival “The Right to Love” was held in Almaty. It was organized by association “Amulet.” Two days of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people acquainted with the works of artists, photographers, dance groups, star transvestite and vocal genre. The festival was released on the Analects, “The Right to Love.” Honorary participants… Read more »

High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, Astana, 29-30 June 2010

Welcome Media advisory: High-level OSCE conference in Astana on tolerance and non-discrimination to take place in the end of June This High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination is being hosted by the Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship in the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (the Pyramid) in Astana on 29-30 June 2010. See below for the conference… Read more »

Gays stage public action in Kazakhstan

Seven gay men staged a “flashmob” in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on May 17 in conjunction with IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. They gathered near the KazakhTelecom building and handed out flyers and released rainbow balloons into the sky. A report from the participants said other gay people watched the action unfold “from afar.”… Read more »

The Gay Scene in Russia and Kazakhstan

Having served in Peace Corps in both western Russia and Kazakhstan, I feel that I can make a few general statements about the gay scene and community in these two countries and give advice for success as a gay Peace Corps Volunteer in this part of the world. Our Pre-Service Training (PST) in Russia was… Read more »

Confusion over Kazakhstan’s first ever Pride parade

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Association in Kazakhstan has announced it intends to hold a parade in the city of Almaty on June 21st. However, a city official said the announcement is either a hoax or “a provocative scheme.” Sergei Kuyanov, the press secretary of the municipal administration, told Interfax news agency: “(We) have… Read more »

Being Gay in Kazakhstan–a Personal Plea

I tel u the truth–being gay in Kazakhstan, one of the leading Muslim countries, is terrible. I mean, if u r not straight, u r nothing, at least. The worst part is that I am being prosecuted, threatened and bullied every time. For now, I am in the USA right now: I am studying here.… Read more »