Belarus passes bill to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights echoing similar law in Russia

Belarus Mirrors Russia’s Approach with New Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

On April 2, 2026, Belarus’s parliament approved a new law targeting LGBTQ+ rights, drawing parallels to restrictive measures in Russia. The legislation, which received final endorsement from the upper house following its initial passage in the lower house last month, is now set for President Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s signature. Once enacted, it will impose penalties on individuals promoting LGBTQ+ causes.

The law criminalizes “homosexual propaganda,” gender identity changes, reluctance to have children, and paedophilia. Offenders could face fines, community service, or a 15-day detention. While Belarus decriminalized homosexuality in 1994 after the Soviet Union’s collapse, it still does not recognize same-sex marriages or provide legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Lukashenka, who has governed the nation of 9.5 million for over three decades with an authoritarian grip, has long derided homosexuality. His regime has intensified efforts to suppress the community, including shutting down LGBTQ+ organizations and raiding nightclubs hosting private gay gatherings. Security forces have been accused of using the KGB, the country’s top intelligence agency, to pressure members of the LGBTQ+ community into cooperation.

“Even before the law, LGBTQ+ people endured beatings, arrests, and public mockery. Now, they have legal justification for further repression,” said Alisa Sarmant, leader of TG House, a Belarusian group advocating for transgender rights.

Sarmant highlighted that the law has sparked fear among transgender individuals, particularly regarding access to essential medications. The group reported at least 12 instances of persecution in the past three months, including a police operation in Minsk last month targeting a private gay event. Requests for psychological support and assistance with relocation have surged, reflecting widespread anxiety.

Belarus has faced repeated sanctions from Western nations, partly for its human rights violations and for enabling Moscow’s use of its territory during the 2022 Ukraine invasion. The legislation also aligns with Russia’s own repressive framework, which bans gender-affirming care, public displays of LGBTQ+ identity, and labels the movement as extremist. In Russia, participants can face up to six years in prison for similar actions.