Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Gay Matchmakg and Culture

Contents:

• BEG GAY IN KAZAKHSTAN: "IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD"LGBT CIZENS OF THE UNTRY REPORT LIVG A "NSTANT STATE OF FEAR." {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 5, 2016/1:17 PMBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 5, 2016 / 1:17 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"BEG GAY IN KAZAKHSTAN: \"IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-09-05T17:17:50.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-09-05T17:17:50.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA","KEYWORDS":"TERNATNAL","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN KAZAKHSTAN PLACED A BID TO HOST THE 2022 OLYMPICS, GAVE HOPE TO THE CENTRAL ASIAN UNTRY'S LGBT MUNY, WHO KNEW WOULD DRAW ATTENTN TO THE DISCRIMATN AND HARASSMENT THEY ROUTELY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATELY, THE NATN LOST THE BID, AND WH THE PROSPECT OF KAZAKHSTAN FACG ANY TERNATNAL PRSURE TO CHANGE S HOMOPHOBIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN WE WERE THERE, LGBT PEOPLE KAZAKHSTAN TOLD ME ABOUT THE NSTANT STATE OF FEAR THEY LIVE ," SAID KYLE KNIGHT, A REARCHER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVY WAS CRIMALIZED KAZAKHSTAN 1998, BUT THE LGBT MUNY STILL LIV SILENCE. POLICE ROUTELY IGNORE GANG ATTACKS ON GAY MEN, AND DOCTORS OFTEN REFE TO TREAT THE VICTIMS..{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DANCE TEACHER ARMAN BIMA SAYS THAT MOST GAY MEN KAZAKHSTAN ARE CLOSETED, BELIEVG WILL PROTECT THEM OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY REPEAT THE THGS THAT SAY, 'NO, WHY I SHOULD SAY TO EVERYONE I AM GAY? IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD.' BUT 'S NOT TE. EVERYONE HAS THE PROBLEM," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRANS PEOPLE SUFFER EVEN MORE—KAZAKHSTANI LAWS MAKE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE THEIR GENR ON OFFICIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRANS ACTIVIST TIM SHENKER BELIEV THE BIGGT PROBLEM IS THAT HIS UNTRYMEN DON'T UNRSTAND THE NCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY DON'T RE FOR THEIR OWN RIGHTS," SHENKER SAYS. "THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE RIGHTS, SO OF URSE THEY DON'T THK ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}H/T: {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• KAZAKHSTAN GAY TRAVEL - LGBT RMATN JULY 2023
• KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN: GAY MATCHMAKG AND CULTURE
• KAZAKH GOVERNMENT FOLLOWG RSIA'S ANTI-GAY FOOTSTEPS
• GAY CLUB ADVERT SPARKS NTROVERSY KAZAKHSTAN

BEG GAY IN KAZAKHSTAN: "IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD"LGBT CIZENS OF THE UNTRY REPORT LIVG A "NSTANT STATE OF FEAR." {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 5, 2016/1:17 PMBY ADAM SALANDRASEPTEMBER 5, 2016 / 1:17 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"BEG GAY IN KAZAKHSTAN: \"IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2016-09-05T17:17:50.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2016-09-05T17:17:50.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA","KEYWORDS":"TERNATNAL","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN KAZAKHSTAN PLACED A BID TO HOST THE 2022 OLYMPICS, GAVE HOPE TO THE CENTRAL ASIAN UNTRY'S LGBT MUNY, WHO KNEW WOULD DRAW ATTENTN TO THE DISCRIMATN AND HARASSMENT THEY ROUTELY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATELY, THE NATN LOST THE BID, AND WH THE PROSPECT OF KAZAKHSTAN FACG ANY TERNATNAL PRSURE TO CHANGE S HOMOPHOBIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"WHEN WE WERE THERE, LGBT PEOPLE KAZAKHSTAN TOLD ME ABOUT THE NSTANT STATE OF FEAR THEY LIVE ," SAID KYLE KNIGHT, A REARCHER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVY WAS CRIMALIZED KAZAKHSTAN 1998, BUT THE LGBT MUNY STILL LIV SILENCE. POLICE ROUTELY IGNORE GANG ATTACKS ON GAY MEN, AND DOCTORS OFTEN REFE TO TREAT THE VICTIMS..{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DANCE TEACHER ARMAN BIMA SAYS THAT MOST GAY MEN KAZAKHSTAN ARE CLOSETED, BELIEVG WILL PROTECT THEM OM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY REPEAT THE THGS THAT SAY, 'NO, WHY I SHOULD SAY TO EVERYONE I AM GAY? IF YOU DO THIS SECRETLY, EVERYTHG IS GOOD.' BUT 'S NOT TE. EVERYONE HAS THE PROBLEM," HE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRANS PEOPLE SUFFER EVEN MORE—KAZAKHSTANI LAWS MAKE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE THEIR GENR ON OFFICIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TRANS ACTIVIST TIM SHENKER BELIEV THE BIGGT PROBLEM IS THAT HIS UNTRYMEN DON'T UNRSTAND THE NCEPT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY DON'T RE FOR THEIR OWN RIGHTS," SHENKER SAYS. "THEY DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE RIGHTS, SO OF URSE THEY DON'T THK ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}H/T: {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

A 2018 survey Kazakhstan dited tolerance toward sexual mori, wh a majory sayg they wouldn't want to "live next door to crimals, dg addicts, or members of the lbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenr (LGBT) muny.

KAZAKHSTAN GAY TRAVEL - LGBT RMATN JULY 2023

The extent of homophobic abe Kazakhstan was highlighted last month when two anizers of an LGBT gatherg were mistreated both by police and the crowd the southern cy of Shymkent.

They were nonted by a crowd of "about 30 men" who also shouted homophobic slurs at the women and threatened to "kill" them, Sekerbaeva said.

As he progrsed through school, Aleksandr ntued to isolate himself om others to avoid homophobic bullyg. My manners, the way I speak, are 'manly' and don't give any ht that [I'm gay].

KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN: GAY MATCHMAKG AND CULTURE

Sultan Makhan, a 26-year-old Kazakh stunt Canada, says that homophobia Kazakhstan also stems om "relig beliefs, patriarchal tradns, and the low level of people's awarens and tn" about the topic. Makhan, who has e out as gay, also criciz "a lack of tert by the Kazakh ernment to support LGBT rights.

Intro: There is very ltle reliable rmatn about gay life Kazakhstan on the ter, but here is one first-hand report om a former Peace Corps volunteer, Everett Peachey, that offers a small wdow to this huge former Soviet untry.

KAZAKH GOVERNMENT FOLLOWG RSIA'S ANTI-GAY FOOTSTEPS

In Kazakhstan, I found the gay scene to be much more unrground and on a much smaller sle than Rsia. The lol gay muni exist on a much smaller sle here, and this was evint even large urban centers like Karaganda (pop. There were a handful of people who were out Karaganda, and every new gay person I met knew everyone else I knew.

When I first me to Karaganda, I met people who later beme iends on gay msage boards bee was the only way I uld meet gays Karaganda. I found that many gay men Kazakhstan and Rsia unrstand their sexualy only terms of sex. Many of the married men seek sexual release om gay iends (many of whom are also married).

He didn’t see a gay relatnship as a viable optn Kazakhstan, and th looked no further than sex. By the way, to further illtrate the size and ternnectedns of the gay muny the former Soviet Unn, this man claimed to have seen me the prev year a gay club St. The largt part of the report vers the suatn of lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people Kazakhstan.

GAY CLUB ADVERT SPARKS NTROVERSY KAZAKHSTAN

While havg crimalized homosexualy 1998 and passed favorable legislatn relatn to genr marker change, Kazakhstan ntu to associate homosexualy wh crimal behavr s crimal and do not clu discrimatn based on sexual orientatn and genr inty s anti-discrimatn legislatn. Issu of sexual orientatn and genr inty are often discsed the public realm but a stereotypil way which creat a hostile atmosphere for lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people and provis obstacl for the work of anizatns that promote their rights.

It is exprsed through police tag people based on their sexual orientatn or genr inty and exprsn along wh medil specialists refg to provi servic to lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people. The suatn of lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people Kazakhstan has been a realm of public discsn due to mment of nonernmental anizatns and funrs to brgg light to the issue. However, there are a number of stereotyp exprsed by medil profsnals through means of media and durg dividual nsultatns that n and have been harmful to the lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr (later the text LGBT) people.

Lbian, gay, bisexual and transgenr people name public hostily, fay vlence, homo. Ultimately, the natn lost the bid, and wh the prospect of Kazakhstan facg any ternatnal prsure to change s homophobic ways.