In Kazakhstan, parliamentarians inched a step closer to banning the spreading of what is being called LGBTQIA+ “propaganda” online or in the media, with offenders possibly facing up to 10 days in prison.
Although a majority Muslim country, Kazakhstan actually legalized homosexuality in the 1990s, even if attitudes about LGBTQIA+ people remain deeply conservative.
The proposed law now considers pro-LGBTQIA+ representations, erroneously linked with pedophilia, as “an open threat not only to society, but also to the country”, a lawmaker – Nurlan Auyesbaev – was quoted as saying in the report by Reuters.
The new law is expected to pass when brought to a full vote in parliament. This must also be signed into law by the country’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who similarly supports upholding “traditional values”.
Other former communist countries – including Russia, Georgia, and Hungary – already passed laws prohibiting advocacy of LGBTQIA+ people, relationships, et cetera.
