Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia
Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia
Belarusian lawmakers have enacted a new law that penalizes individuals advocating for LGBTQ+ causes, drawing parallels to Russia’s own repressive measures. The legislation, which passed both chambers of parliament, is now set for presidential approval by Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who has overseen the country’s governance for over three decades.
The bill targets actions such as promoting homosexual relationships, gender identity shifts, and the refusal to have children, potentially leading to fines, community service, or a 15-day detention. While Belarus decriminalized homosexuality in 1994 following the Soviet Union’s collapse, it still does not acknowledge same-sex marriages or provide legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Lukashenka, known for his authoritarian rule, has openly ridiculed homosexuality. His government has faced repeated sanctions from Western nations, partly due to its human rights violations and support for Russia’s use of Belarusian territory during the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Recent actions include shutting down LGBTQ+ organizations and conducting raids on venues hosting private gay gatherings.
Impact on the community
Alisa Sarmant, head of TG House, a transgender rights group in Belarus, highlighted the new law’s effect: “Even before this bill, LGBTQ+ people endured beatings, arrests, and mockery, but now law enforcement has a legal basis for intensified repression.” The group reported 12 documented instances of persecution in the past three months, including a police intervention at a Minsk nightclub during a private gay event.
“LGBTQ+ people now face heightened risks of discrimination, with fears that transgender individuals may lose access to essential medications,” Sarmant added. The group has received hundreds of requests for counseling and assistance in relocating abroad.
The legislation groups gays, lesbians, trans individuals, and paedophiles under a single framework, according to Sarmant. “This creates fresh reasons for societal rejection and stigma,” she said, noting that Belarus is replicating Russia’s harsh approach to LGBTQ+ rights.
Russia has implemented strict laws that ban gender changes on official documents, gender-affirming treatments, and public displays of LGBTQ+ identity. The movement has been labeled extremist, with members facing up to six years of imprisonment. Belarus’s new law mirrors these policies, intensifying pressure on the LGBTQ+ community within its borders.
