The government of Uzbekistan is moving forward with plans to introduce a law that would ban LGBTQ+ “propaganda”, inspired in part by the political rhetoric of President-Elect Donald Trump, according to a statement from Alisher Qodirov, leader of the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) party. This political party, which holds power in the lower chamber of Parliament, aims to prohibit discussions related to queer identities throughout the nation.
Qodirov announced on social media that the drafting of this law is already underway, attributing the initiative to remarks made by Ivanka Trump, the daughter of the former US President. In her comments, she highlighted her father’s commitment to eliminating what he referred to as “inappropriate sexual content” and “transgender ideology,” particularly in educational settings. Qodirov cited these comments as a source of motivation for the impending legislation. He stated, “The change in the center of the disease is very good (…) We are working on adopting a law prohibiting any kind of propaganda in this regard.”
This development comes amidst a broader trend in which governments worldwide are adopting stances that mirror the shifting attitudes towards queerness seen within segments of the Republican Party in the United States. Over the past decade, there has been a growing narrative that portrays queerness as immoral and harmful, particularly in contexts involving children. This discourse has intensified in the wake of the latest election cycle, with implications that stretch far beyond the borders of the United States.
Currently, homosexuality is already illegal in Uzbekistan, which aligns the country with Turkmenistan in a group of post-Soviet states maintaining stringent anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Activists have reported that queer individuals in Uzbekistan often face significant risks, including abuse from law enforcement and imprisonment, prompting many to go “completely underground” to navigate the pervasive discrimination and threats they face.
The implications of Uzbekistan’s proposed law extend beyond its borders, particularly as neighbouring countries such as Russia have also been implementing severe measures against the LGBTQ+ community. Under the administration of President Vladimir Putin, Russia has branded queer activism as extremist, creating a hostile environment for queer citizens and activists. The introduction of additional discriminatory laws in Uzbekistan may set a concerning precedent, leading to similar developments in countries that have yet to codify such restrictions against homosexuality.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/14/uzbekistan-lgbtq-bill-law/ – Corroborates the announcement by Alisher Qodirov about drafting a law to ban LGBTQ+ propaganda in Uzbekistan, inspired by Ivanka Trump’s comments.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Uzbekistan – Provides details on the current legality of same-sex sexual activity in Uzbekistan and the proposed law banning discussions of LGBT people.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/14/uzbekistan-lgbtq-bill-law/ – Explains the broader context of anti-LGBTQ+ laws globally, including Russia’s influence and the impact on queer individuals in Uzbekistan.
- https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/11/25/russia-expanded-gay-propaganda-ban-progresses-toward-law – Details Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and their expansion, which sets a precedent for other countries like Uzbekistan.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Uzbekistan – Describes the illegal status of male homosexuality in Uzbekistan and the associated punishments and societal discrimination.
- https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/14/uzbekistan-lgbtq-bill-law/ – Mentions the alignment of Uzbekistan’s proposed law with global trends and the influence of US political rhetoric.
- https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/11/25/russia-expanded-gay-propaganda-ban-progresses-toward-law – Discusses the implications of Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws on freedom of expression and the potential for similar laws in other countries.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Uzbekistan – Highlights the severe societal and legal challenges faced by LGBT individuals in Uzbekistan, including abuse and imprisonment.
- https://www.yalelawjournal.org/comment/homosexual-propaganda-bans-in-human-rights-law – Analyzes the human rights implications of homosexual propaganda bans, including the Russian law and its international criticism.
- https://features.hrw.org/features/features/lgbt_laws/ – Provides a broader context of anti-LGBT laws globally, including various forms of discrimination and legal sanctions.
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