30 Dec 2025 President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the anti-LGBTQ+ law.
The legislation was introduced in October 2025 and passed both chambers of parliament in November–December 2025.
The law came into force on 1 Jan 2026.
What the law does:
It bans the dissemination of information about “non-traditional sexual orientation” that could be seen as forming positive public opinion — including online posts, media content, and public imagery.
Serious restrictions:
- Any positive depiction or supportive discussion of LGBTQ+ people could be considered “propaganda.”
- The law allows fines and up to 10 days detention for repeat offences
- Publications, films, and social media content may be removed or censored outright.
Why it matters:
Kazakhstan’s law mirrors Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ model — and marks a worrying regional trend in restricting queer visibility and rights.