Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia
Belarus Passes Legislation Targeting LGBTQ+ Rights, Mirroring Russia’s Approach
On Thursday, the Belarusian parliament approved a new law that imposes penalties on individuals promoting LGBTQ+ causes, a move seen as aligning with Russia’s restrictive measures. The upper house finalized the measure after the lower chamber passed it last month, with President Aliaksandr Lukashenka expected to sign it soon. The legislation criminalizes “homosexual propaganda, gender identity claims, child-rearing avoidance, and paedophilia,” allowing fines, mandatory community service, and up to 15 days in detention.
While Belarus decriminalized homosexuality in 1994 following the Soviet Union’s collapse, it has never acknowledged same-sex marriages or provided legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Lukashenka, who has governed the nation of 9.5 million for over three decades with authoritarian control, has openly ridiculed LGBTQ+ identities. The law further intensifies pressure on communities already facing systemic discrimination.
Western countries have imposed repeated sanctions on Belarus, citing its human rights violations and support for Moscow’s use of the country’s territory during Ukraine’s invasion in 2022. LGBTQ+ organizations have been disbanded, and security forces frequently target private gatherings, such as gay parties in nightclubs. The KGB, still operating under its Soviet-era name, has reportedly coerced members of the LGBTQ+ community into collaboration.
Community Fears and Legal Consequences
Alisa Sarmant, leader of TG House, a Belarusian transgender rights group, highlighted the new law’s impact. “Even before this bill, LGBTQ+ individuals endured beatings, arrests, and mockery, but now law enforcement has explicit authority to escalate repression,” she stated. Over the past three months, the group documented at least 12 instances of persecution, including a recent police operation in Minsk during a private gay event.
“The Belarusian authorities have conflated gays, lesbians, transgender people, and paedophiles, offering new justification for social exclusion and stigma,” Sarmant added. She warned that the law could lead to trans individuals being denied access to essential medications, with many seeking psychological support or asylum abroad.
Similar to Russia, the Belarusian law targets public displays of LGBTQ+ identity and restricts gender-affirming care. In Russia, such actions are banned, and the movement has been labeled extremist, with members facing up to six years in prison. Critics argue Belarus is replicating Russia’s strategy, worsening conditions for LGBTQ+ people in the region.
