Accessibility links

Breaking News

Antigay Activists Build Wall In Kazakhstan's Largest City


Dozens of antigay activists have built a brick wall in front of a gay nightclub in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, to protest same-sex marriage.

The owners of the club have not reacted to the May 15 action and did not call police.

The protest was held 10 days after Kazakh authorities announced an investigation into the killing of an Astana woman who was in an unofficial lesbian marriage.

Three women were arrested last month after Kristina Chernysheva's body was found dismembered and burned.

The suspects arrested included the victim's partner, referred to only as Karolina.

A year ago, Chernysheva and Karolina made headlines in Kazakhstan after they held a symbolic wedding in the city of Qaraghandy.

It was the first-known, public same-sex "wedding" in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan does not recognize gay marriage, though homosexual relations were decriminalized there in the 1990s.

Based on reporting by Interfax, Total.kz, zakon.kz, and Tengrinews

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG