Belarus' Perspective On Lgbtq+ Community: Understanding The Viewpoint

Belarus has been described as one of the most homophobic countries in Europe. Although same-sex relationships are not illegal, homosexuality remains highly stigmatized, and the country does not recognize same-sex marriage. There are no anti-discrimination measures in place to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections as opposite-sex couples. The Belarusian government has been accused of taking steps to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, including preparing a draft law punishing the promotion of non-traditional relationships. Public opinion polls have found that homophobic beliefs persist in the country, and LGBTQ+ people in Belarus continue to face challenges and stigma in society.

Public expression of LGBTQ+ identity is restricted

Although same-sex relationships are not illegal in Belarus, the country remains one of the most homophobic in Europe. Public expression of LGBTQ+ identity is restricted, and there are very few openly gay people in the country. Belarus does not recognise same-sex marriage, nor any form of same-sex partnership, and same-sex households are not eligible for the same legal protections as opposite-sex couples.

The country provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, and there are no laws prohibiting hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As a result, those who are openly LGBTQ+ face harassment, violence, and physical abuse. Many LGBTQ+ persons in Belarus tend to hide their sexual orientation in public to avoid discrimination and violence.

In 2024, the Ministry of Culture expanded the definition of pornography to include "non-traditional sexual relations", which includes homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality. The production, distribution, or possession of such materials with the intent to distribute or promote them can be punished by a prison term. This law further restricts the public expression of LGBTQ+ identity, as any advocacy of homosexuality can now be considered pornographic and, therefore, illegal.

In addition to legal restrictions, Belarusian state-controlled media constantly reports on negative events affiliated with the LGBTQ+ community. This media strategy aims to demonstrate that the "collective West" fights against LGBTQ+ propaganda and that Western governments impose their way of thinking on society by force. As Belarus aligns itself more closely with Russia, which has outlawed "gay propaganda", it is likely that the public expression of LGBTQ+ identity in Belarus will become even more restricted.

Same-sex marriage is not recognised

The Belarusian government has taken a strong stance against the recognition of same-sex unions. In 2020, the Ministry of Health endorsed a plan to establish legal consequences for spreading information that undermines the institution of family and marriage. This included administrative and criminal penalties for advocating for homosexuality. In April 2024, Belarus expanded its definition of pornography to include "non-traditional sexual relations", which effectively criminalised the promotion of homosexuality.

The lack of recognition for same-sex marriages in Belarus reflects the country's conservative and predominantly Orthodox society. Homosexuality was only decriminalised in 1994, and while same-sex relationships are not illegal, Belarus remains one of the most homophobic countries in Europe. Public expression of LGBTQ+ identity is limited, and there are no anti-discrimination measures in place to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex couples face significant challenges and stigma in Belarusian society.

The Belarusian government justifies its anti-LGBTQ+ positions by invoking demographic concerns, suggesting that the promotion of same-sex relationships would contribute to the country's population decline. However, human rights organisations attribute the population decline to the hundreds of thousands of Belarusians who have sought political asylum abroad due to persecution and a lack of freedom.

No anti-discrimination laws exist to protect LGBTQ+ people

Belarus has no anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ people. Although same-sex relationships are not illegal in Belarus, the country remains one of the most homophobic in Europe, according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Belarus in 1994, but the country does not recognise same-sex marriage and authorities have cracked down on LGBT pride parades. There are no anti-discrimination measures in place to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Belarus provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, nor does it prohibit hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Labour Code (Article 14) prohibits discrimination in the sphere of labour relations, but notably, sexual orientation is left out of the list of social characteristics on whose basis discrimination is legally prohibited.

LGBTQ+ people in Belarus continue to face stigma and discrimination in society. A 2022 survey by Chatham House and the Centre of New Ideas found that 43% of Belarusians consider discrimination based on sexual orientation to be unimportant, while 32% are neutral on the issue. Public opinion polls in Belarus have also revealed persistent homophobic beliefs. A 2022 World Values Survey ranked Belarus 67th out of 88 regions regarding acceptance of homosexuals as neighbours.

The absence of anti-discrimination laws has significant implications for the LGBTQ+ community in Belarus. Those who are openly LGBTQ+ face harassment, violence, and physical abuse. The community also experiences challenges in various aspects of life, including employment and housing, with no legal protections against discrimination. The lack of anti-discrimination laws contributes to a hostile environment and reinforces societal stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarus.

The Belarusian government has not only failed to provide legal protections but has also actively taken steps to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2024, the Ministry of Culture expanded the definition of pornography to include "non-traditional sexual relations," which effectively criminalises the advocacy of homosexuality. Additionally, the Prosecutor General's Office prepared a draft law on administrative liability for LGBTQ+ propaganda, which is currently undergoing the approval process. These actions indicate a growing trend of discrimination and repression against the LGBTQ+ community in Belarus.

LGBTQ+ people are stigmatised and at risk of violence

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association has stated that Belarus is one of the most homophobic countries in Europe. Public opinion polls have found that homophobic beliefs persist in the country, with a significant proportion of Belarusians thinking that gays should be imprisoned.

LGBTQ+ people in Belarus continue to face stigma and discrimination in society. They are not protected by any anti-discrimination laws and there is no legislation to prevent hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The country has no legislation that would protect people from dismissal from work because of their sexual orientation. There are also no protections against housing discrimination.

In addition, LGBTQ+ people in Belarus are targeted by the KGB state security service, which recruits members of the community by blackmailing them with the threat of making their sexual orientation public. The Rainbow Europe Index of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association has found that Belarus is in the top five European countries with the worst human rights situation for LGBTI people.

The Belarusian government has also taken steps to restrict the space available for the LGBTQ+ community to express itself. In 2024, the Ministry of Culture adapted its resolution on erotic and sexual education products, putting homosexual and bisexual relations in the same “non-traditional” category as paedophilia and zoophilia. The same year, the Prosecutor General's Office of Belarus prepared a draft law on administrative liability for LGBTQ+ propaganda, which is currently going through the approval process.

As a result of the discrimination and violence they face, LGBTQ+ people in Belarus are at an increased risk of suicide, in part because professional psychological care is generally unavailable.

LGBTQ+ people are pressured by the KGB

LGBTQ+ people in Belarus are pressured by the KGB in a variety of ways, creating an environment of fear and repression. Firstly, the KGB targets LGBTQ+ individuals through blackmail and recruitment, exploiting their sexual orientation as a vulnerability. This tactic was previously used by the KGB during the Soviet era to prevent the formation of any gay organisations or media specifically catering to sexual minorities. The threat of exposure and the resulting social consequences force many LGBTQ+ individuals to remain closeted, isolating them and making them more susceptible to KGB coercion.

The KGB's pressure tactics also extend to LGBTQ+ activists and organisations. Human rights organisations in Belarus have reported that LGBTQ+ activists face pressure and intimidation from the KGB, who aim to suppress their efforts to promote equality and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This pressure can take the form of surveillance, harassment, and even physical violence, creating a climate of fear and deterring activists from openly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

The KGB's actions contribute to the stigmatisation of the LGBTQ+ community in Belarusian society. Homosexuality remains highly stigmatised, and those who are openly LGBTQ+ face harassment, violence, and physical abuse. This stigma is perpetuated by the absence of anti-discrimination laws and the lack of legal recognition for same-sex relationships in Belarus. The government's failure to provide legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community further empowers the KGB to act with impunity, as they can exploit the vulnerability of a marginalised group without fear of repercussions.

The pressure exerted by the KGB has had a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarus. The constant fear of surveillance, blackmail, and exposure takes a toll on their psychological well-being. Additionally, the lack of access to professional psychological care, due in part to the government's refusal to address the specific needs of sexual minorities, contributes to the high rates of suicide within the LGBTQ+ community.

The KGB's tactics ultimately serve to maintain and reinforce a culture of homophobia in Belarus, where LGBTQ+ individuals are marginalised, silenced, and forced into hiding. The combination of direct pressure on individuals and the broader societal stigmatisation makes it extremely challenging for the LGBTQ+ community to live openly and freely, driving many to seek political asylum in other countries.

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