Kazakh Senate to review LGBT propaganda ban by end of the year

Tengrinews.kz – Senators will consider amendments introducing a ban on LGBT propaganda in Kazakhstan before the end of 2025.

The changes are part of the draft law “On amendments and additions regarding archival affairs and restrictions on the dissemination of illegal content.” The Senate press service stated that the bill is being processed within the regular, legally established timeframe.

“The law introduces amendments to the Labour Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to 12 other laws. The bill will be reviewed at the Senate session on 18 December,” the statement said.

Background

Senators were initially set to discuss the amendments on 4 December, but the issue was removed from the agenda.

Once adopted, the amendments will prohibit the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations on social networks.

The bill introduces a clear legal definition of “propaganda of non-traditional orientation” and establishes a ban on its distribution in the media and on the internet.

There have even been proposals to cut explicit scenes linked to LGBT themes from films.

Earlier reports indicated that the new restrictions would also apply to mass events, including celebrations, corporate gatherings and other public activities.

The movement toward restricting LGBT-related content began in April 2024, when Mazhilis deputies introduced an amendment to the draft law “On Mass Media,” aiming to prohibit LGBT propaganda.

Later, lawmakers proposed introducing criminal liability for LGBT propaganda in Kazakhstan, seeking to equate it with inciting social, national, tribal, racial, class or religious discord. These provisions, however, did not make it into the final version of the bill.

In August, the government responded to a nationwide petition against LGBT propaganda. The Ministry of Culture partially upheld the demand to “protect and shield teenagers and children from the promotion and cultivation of sexual relations.”

By October 2025, deputies again raised the issue of banning LGBT propaganda — this time as part of a draft law on archival affairs.

On 12 November, the Mazhilis approved the amendment banning LGBT propaganda. As a result, any references to LGBT topics in films, advertising and social media may soon be outlawed in Kazakhstan.