Eastern Europe and Central Asia: a new epicenter of discrimination
The EECA region, full of political, cultural, and religious diversity, is increasingly immersed in rhetoric that devalues LGBTIQ+ communities. Societies where traditional ideas about the role of family and gender dominate become a field for authoritarian regimes to experiment with discriminatory laws.
russia: leading the anti-LGBTIQ+ crusade
russian authorities have been developing a policy of repression against LGBTIQ+ people for more than a decade. The 2013 law banning the “propaganda” of non-traditional relationships among minors was the first step towards turning public space into an LGBTIQ+-free zone. However, it was not enough.
In December 2022, the ban was expanded: now even neutral information about LGBTIQ+ people is prohibited. In 2023, a law was passed that effectively threw trans* people out of society: trans* transitions, name changes, and gender markers in documents are banned. All this – under the sauce of protecting “traditional values”.
As Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch notes: “For many years, the russian authorities have tried to exclude the LGBT community from public space, but now they have effectively outlawed LGBT people.”
This open offensive is accompanied by a decision of the Supreme Court of the russian federation, which recognized the International LGBT Movement as an extremist organization, which effectively legalized the persecution of all those who defend the rights of the community.
Kyrgyzstan: in the crosshairs of “traditional values”
In the post-Soviet space, anti-LGBTIQ+ policies are not limited to russia. Kyrgyzstan in recent years has increasingly demonstrated a propensity to use anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric as an instrument of state policy. In August 2023, the country’s president signed changes to a law that contains vague language about “traditional social values” and prohibits information that, in the opinion of the authorities, denies these values or “propagandizes non-traditional sexual relations.”
What does this mean in practice? The vague wording of the new law can be used to suppress any media, non-governmental organizations, and activists whose views diverge from the official position of the authorities. The LGBTIQ+ community is in the greatest danger because it is the community that is targeted for the greatest repression. Banning the dissemination of information even on sexual and reproductive health jeopardizes the health of young people. For example, information on the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases has become virtually inaccessible, which only increases the risk of a surge in such infections.
Another alarming signal is the rejection of the anti-discrimination bill in December 2023. During the parliamentary hearings, there were theses that the law could be used to “protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people”, which, according to the deputies, is unacceptable. They even suggested that without clear definitions, the law would become a tool for “abuse.” Such statements indicate that the Kyrgyz authorities are deliberately ignoring the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, reinforcing an atmosphere of rejection and hostility. Kyrgyzstan, despite its international obligations, continues to deepen the gap with democratic standards, demonstrating that “traditional values” are more important to the authorities than human rights.
Georgia: Georgian Dream or nightmare for LGBTIQ+ people?
Georgia, which has long positioned itself as a country seeking European integration, took a dramatic step in the opposite direction in 2024. Parliament passed a whole package of laws targeting the LGBTIQ+ community, including a ban on same-sex marriage, adoption of children by LGBT couples, and even gender transition. Interestingly, this package also bans any public events in support of LGBTIQ+ rights. “Dignity marches,” Pride festivals, and any mention of LGBTIQ+ topics in schools or the media are all now banned. The authorities call the expansion of rights of the LGBTIQ+ community “a threat to traditional values”. However, most human rights activists note that such steps only increase the polarization of society and create a dangerous environment for vulnerable groups.
The Georgian president did not support these bills, but they were passed by the parliament, which shows the deep divisions within the country’s political elite.
Unfortunately for the LGBTIQ+ community, this means increased discrimination and violence. The prohibition of changing gender markers or undergoing gender transition has left trans* people without any legal support, and restrictions on family formation rights have left them without the ability to realize basic human needs. The situation is becoming increasingly similar to the russian scenario: the visibility of the LGBTIQ+ community is becoming impossible, and the community itself has been effectively pushed to the margins of society.
Georgia, which once had the potential to become an example of progressive reforms in the post-Soviet space, now risks becoming yet another country where “traditional values” are used to cover up a retreat from human rights. This sets the country far back in the context of its democratic development and only reinforces authoritarian tendencies.
Ukraine: the difficult road to equality
Ukraine, striving for European standards, stands at a crossroads. Bill No. 5488, which would punish hate crimes, could be an important step in harmonizing legislation with EU requirements.
Sviatoslav Sheremet, Policy and Legislation Coordinator of the National LGBTI Consortium #LGBTI_PRO: “5488 on crimes motivated by intolerance is a potential trump card for the state of Ukraine in negotiations for EU membership. It is a queen in a chess game. I think our parliament will vote for 5488 as soon as we need to show other progress that we are harmonizing our legislation with the EU legislation. And what is written in Bill 5488 exactly reflects the official recommendations to Ukraine from the European institutions, particularly the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The other side of the coin is that the bill is toothless. There is no entity at the state level that “chews out” its adoption.
If the bill had been parliamentary, we would have seen parliamentary frontmen and frontwomen clamoring for this bill as their brainchild. But the government brought it to the Rada. So he’s in the role of that queen on the chessboard, biding his time to make the most winning move.”
“And one more key detail on 5488.” – Sviatoslav Sheremet adds. “It is not perfect. It was introduced BEFORE the Big War and BEFORE the application for EU membership. Therefore, 5488 does NOT fully meet the needs of the day. So it will need to be finalized, even if it is accepted as a basis. Our organizations – organizations of LGBTIQ+ communities – are ready for such revision. We are ready to give the parliament a shoulder.”
“Over the past two years, Ukraine has witnessed an alarming increase in hate crimes, particularly homophobia, and transphobia.” – says Olga Polyakova, Executive Director of Gender Stream: “Ukrainian legislation lacks clear definitions and specific punishments for acts of violence motivated by hatred of race, nationality, especially sexual orientation or gender identity. This legal vacuum allows criminals to avoid fair punishment. Bill No. 5488 proposes a comprehensive approach to combating hatred. This includes establishing clear mechanisms for recording and investigating hate crimes, training law enforcement officials, developing national strategies to counter discrimination and violence, and raising public awareness. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of the situation should be introduced to ensure protection against such cases.”
Anti-LGBTIQ+ laws, which are spreading in EECA countries, undermine basic human rights. They become a tool for dividing society, suppressing dissent, and restricting freedoms. However, even against the backdrop of these alarming trends, Ukraine retains a unique opportunity to become a model for the entire region. Despite the full-scale war, activists of the LGBTIQ+ community are not giving up, persistently defending human rights as fundamental values of a democratic society. Bill #5488 (and others like it) is a chance to prove that the country not only declares but acts in support of equality and dignity for everyone.
On December 5-6, during the XVII National LGBTIQ+ Conference, there will be a separate conversation about how repressive legislation and rhetoric targeting LGBTIQ+ people is undermining the foundations of democracy in EECA countries. And simultaneously about how Ukraine, even in times of war, has the opportunity to be a light of hope and a model for others. This struggle goes beyond the individual community: it is a struggle for a future in which everyone, regardless of identity, has the right to be themselves.