LGBTQ rights in Kazakhstan

LGBTQ rights in Kazakhstan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Kazakhstan face some challenges that other people do not. Same-sex relationships are legal, but people in these relationships do not have the same legal protections as married couples.

After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan made same-sex relationships legal in 1997. In 2003, transgender people were allowed to change their legal gender. Since 2022, LGBTQ people have been allowed to serve in the military. However, rights for LGBTQ people are still limited, and many face unfair treatment and stigma.

In October 2025, Kazakhstan’s Parliament proposed a law to ban sharing information about LGBTQ topics in public or in the media. This law was passed and signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in December 2025. The law can lead to arrest and fines. Many people and groups around the world spoke out against this law.

Because of these laws and some attitudes, many LGBTQ people in Kazakhstan keep their identities private to stay safe. Those who are open about who they are sometimes face unfair treatment and stigma.

History

Genghis Khan banned certain behaviors in the Mongol Empire a long time ago. LGBTQ history in Kazakhstan has had both good and bad times since the early 1900s. In 1917, it was first allowed after the October Revolution created the Soviet Union.

Later, in 1933, the Soviet Union made those behaviors illegal again. It wasn’t until July 16, 1997 that it was officially no longer considered a mental illness.

Anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" law

Main article: Kazakh anti-LGBTQ law

In October 2025, some members of the Mäjilis suggested a new rule against sharing certain ideas in public or media. This idea came after a request in 2024. Experts from the United Nations and groups like Human Rights Watch worried this rule might limit free speech.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex activity has been legal in Kazakhstan since 1997. Before that, the law made it a crime, but it changed when the law was updated. Now, people over 16 can have consensual relationships, no matter their gender. The law no longer treats same-sex relationships as a crime.

Gender identity and expression

See also: Transgender rights

Since 2003, people in Kazakhstan who feel their gender is different from what it says on their papers have been allowed to change it. But to do this, they need special medical approval. This means they have to go through tests and wait for a doctor’s opinion.

Before getting this approval, people have to pay about ₸100,000 tenge. If they get the approval, they have six months to start changing their body to match their true gender, or they have to start the whole process again.

In 2011, rules got stricter. Now, people had to have special surgeries, take certain medicines, and go through more medical checks before changing their papers. Also, people under 21 couldn’t change their gender on official papers.

People who support these rights talked to the government. Because of this, by 2017, Kazakhstan made its rules a bit better than some nearby countries.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Kazakhstan does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions. This means couples who love each other but are the same sex cannot get married or join in a civil union.

Adoption and parenting

Same-sex couples cannot legally adopt children in Kazakhstan.

In February 2024, President Tokayev signed a law to stop same-sex couples from adopting orphans. A Deputy Minister said that the parent’s orientation would be very important when deciding if someone could adopt, using a special test to check. This change was criticized by independent media for following an example from the Russian law.

Discrimination protections

In Kazakhstan, many LGBTQ people face unfair treatment and sometimes violence. These incidents are often not reported to the police. The country does not have laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from unfair treatment in jobs, schools, homes, hospitals, public places, or when getting loans.

Blood donation

In Kazakhstan, people who love others of the same sex can give blood. The government allows everyone, including gay and bisexual men, to donate blood.

Military service

In 2012, a leader in Kazakhstan said that people who are gay could not join the military. But in 2022, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people were allowed to serve openly. The military leaders said that no one is banned from serving because of who they love.

2025 anti-LGBT legislation

Main article: Kazakh anti-LGBTQ law

In 2015, an idea to stop talking about different kinds of love in public was not allowed. This was good news for people who believe everyone should be treated fairly.

In 2019, a court decision helped two women who had a private moment shared without their permission. This was a big step for privacy rights.

In 2023 and 2024, some leaders in Kazakhstan talked about stopping movies, TV shows, and news from mentioning people who love others of the same gender. They said this would help prevent disagreements in society.

By November 2025, new rules were approved that would stop sharing messages about certain topics in public places and on the news. Breaking these rules could lead to being arrested and having to pay a fine.

Public opinion

In 2015, a study asked people in many countries, including Kazakhstan, about how fairly they were treated. Kazakhstan ranked near the bottom with a score of 29.

A survey in 2015 and 2016 found that most people in Kazakhstan did not support same-sex marriage, with only a few agreeing.

LGBTQ rights movements

Some groups have been formed to support and help people in the LGBTQ community in Kazakhstan.

In 2014, Alma-TQ started working to support trans and queer people. In 2015, Femenita began helping LBQ women. In 2017, Kok.team became the first LGBTQ news site in Kazakhstan. In 2018, AmanBol offered a way for people to test for HIV at home. In 2022, QUEER KZ was created to empower the LGBTQIA+ community.

Living conditions

LGBTQ people in Kazakhstan often face unfair treatment because of who they are. This can make them feel unsafe sharing who they truly are with others. Because of this, many keep their true selves hidden, especially at work, to keep their jobs and avoid being treated badly.

In 2011, a study showed that acceptance of LGBTQ people was not growing in Kazakhstan and some nearby countries, unlike in many other parts of the world.

Statistics

A study in 2018 found about 62,000 men in Kazakhstan who love other men, with most living in cities like Almaty, Astana, and the Karaganda Region. However, the real number might be higher because many people are afraid to share their true selves due to unfair treatment.

United Nations

Kazakhstan has not supported important changes at the United Nations to protect people from being hurt because of who they love or how they identify. In 2011, it did not back a statement calling for an end to violence against people for these reasons.

Notable individuals

Here are some well-known people from Kazakhstan who support LGBTQ rights or identify as LGBTQ themselves:

• Abdel Mukhtarov, singer and LGBTQ rights activist
• Adil Liyan, producer and journalist
• Altynai Kambekova, LGBTQ rights activist
• Anatoly Chernousov, LGBTQ rights activist
• Amir Shaikezhanov, LGBTQ rights activist
• Binazir Ermaganbetova, humor blogger and singer
• Daniyar Sabitov, LGBTQ rights activist
• Farema Kazakpayeva, singer
• Gasan Akhmedov, LGBTQ rights activist
• Gulzada Serzhan, LGBTQ rights activist
• Natasha Maximova, the Kazakh-born first transgender woman on a magazine cover in Russia
• Nurbibi Nurkadilova, LGBTQ rights activist and Zamanbek Nurkadilov’s granddaughter
• Nurlan Alimkhodzhaev, makeup artist
• Zarina Baibolova, stand-up comedian
• Yan Ray, fashion photographer
• Zhanar Sekerbayeva, LGBTQ rights activist

Summary table