Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia
Belarus Enacts New Law to Target LGBTQ+ Rights, Mirroring Russia’s Approach
Belarus’ parliament approved a new bill on Thursday aimed at penalizing individuals who advocate for LGBTQ+ causes, aligning with restrictive measures already in place in Russia. The upper house finalized the legislation after it was passed by the lower chamber in March, and President Aliaksandr Lukashenka is anticipated to sign it into law soon.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The proposed law introduces penalties for activities deemed as promoting homosexual relationships, gender identity changes, reluctance to have children, and paedophilia. Fines, community service, and up to 15-day arrests are among the possible consequences for violating these provisions. While Belarus decriminalized homosexuality in 1994 following the Soviet Union’s dissolution, it continues to exclude same-sex marriages and offer limited legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Lukashenka, who has governed the nation of 9.5 million for over three decades, has long expressed disdain for homosexuality. The bill is seen as part of a broader effort to intensify societal pressure on LGBTQ+ communities. Security forces have frequently raided venues hosting private gay gatherings, and activist groups have been disbanded, intensifying the climate of fear.
International Context and Consequences
“LGBTQ+ people had faced beatings, arrests, persecution, and mockery even before the bill’s approval, but now law enforcement agencies have received legal grounds for repressions,” stated Alisa Sarmant, head of TG House, a Belarusian organization advocating for transgender rights.
Sarmant highlighted that the legislation has heightened anxieties among transgender individuals, particularly regarding access to essential medications. The group has recorded at least 12 instances of LGBTQ+ persecution in the last three months, including a recent police operation in Minsk during a private gay event. Over 200 requests for psychological support and relocation assistance have been received by TG House since the bill’s passage.
The law also categorizes LGBTQ+ activism as part of a broader trend of social exclusion and stigma. Sarmant noted, “Belarus is copying Russia’s sad experience, creating unbearable conditions for LGBT+ people.” In Russia, similar repressive measures have outlawed public displays of gay and transgender identity, as well as gender-affirming care, with activists labeled as extremists facing up to six years in prison.
Belarus has faced repeated sanctions from Western nations, partly due to its human rights record and its role in allowing Moscow’s use of the country’s territory during the 2022 Ukraine invasion. These actions underscore the alignment between Belarus and Russia in their approach to LGBTQ+ rights, further tightening the grip on dissent within the region.
