LGBTQ rights in Kazakhstan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Kazakhstan face many challenges that other people in the country do not. While same-sex relationships are legal, people in same-sex 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, and allowed transgender people to change their legal gender in 2003. LGBTQ people have been allowed to serve in the military since 2022. However, LGBTQ rights are still very limited, and many people face unfair treatment and stigma.

In October 2025, Kazakhstan’s Parliament proposed a law to ban what it called “LGBT propaganda.” This law was passed and signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in December 2025. It makes it illegal to share information about LGBTQ topics in public places or in the media, with possible punishments including arrest and fines. Many people and groups around the world spoke out against this law.

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

History

Genghis Khan banned certain behaviors in the Mongol Empire a long time ago. LGBTQ history in Kazakhstan has seen both acceptance and tough times since the early 1900s, when it was first allowed in 1917 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, though this change happened earlier in practice.

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 and could put people in danger.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Both male and female same-sex activity has been legal in Kazakhstan since late 1997. Before that, the law made some types of same-sex activity a crime, but this changed when the law was updated. Now, people over the age of 16 are allowed to have consensual relationships, no matter their gender. The country's laws no longer treat 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. These doctors used to only work in Almaty, the biggest city, but now they can work all over Kazakhstan. Still, only the team in Almaty is able to do this because they have the right rooms and special doctors.

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 that couples who are in love and of the same sex cannot get married or join in a civil union like other couples can.

Adoption and parenting

As of 2020, same-sex couples cannot legally adopt children in Kazakhstan.

In February 2024, President Tokayev signed a law that would stop same-sex couples from adopting orphans. A Deputy Minister said that the orientation of the parent 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, people who are LGBTQ often face violence and unfair treatment, and these incidents are usually not reported to the police. The country does not have laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from being treated unfairly in jobs, schools, homes, hospitals, public places, or when getting loans.

Blood donation

In Kazakhstan, there are no rules stopping people who love others of the same sex from giving 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 were not allowed to join the military. But starting in 2022, people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual were allowed to serve openly. The leaders of the military 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 because it was written in a confusing way. This was good news for people who believe everyone should be treated fairly.

In 2019, an important 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 ideas that might cause 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 for ten days and having to pay a fine.

Public opinion

In 2015, a study asked people in many countries, including Kazakhstan, about their feelings and experiences related to being treated fairly. 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 allowing couples of the same sex to marry, with only a small number 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 and unfair thoughts because of who they are. This can lead to being left out, teased, or even hurt, which makes many 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 by bosses or coworkers.

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