Attack on Blogger Drives Uzbek Gay Community Underground
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Members of Uzbekistan's LGBT community say they have been driven underground in fear of a violent backlash after a blogger and some of his supporters were attacked last month following social media posts calling for gay rallies at Muslim holy sites.
Uzbekistan, for decades one of the world's most isolated countries, is trying to open its society under cautious reforms by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took office after the 2016 death of Islam Karimov, autocratic ruler since the Soviet era.
Blogger Miraziz Bazarov remains hospitalised with a broken leg, bruises and other injuries, after being beaten up last month by a group of unidentified assailants. Bazarov, who is not gay, had posted on social media calling for LGBT gatherings at holy sites and for a new "state and gay" security force.
Homosexuality is banned in Uzbekistan and consensual gay sex is a felony. Nevertheless, two members of the LGBT community, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters they had been largely left alone until the public backlash against Bazarov's posts. Now, they said, they felt their lives were in danger.
"Right now, because of this outburst, LGBT people receive many threats and try not to leave their homes, not to meet in cafes, many want to leave the country," one said. "There are thugs on the streets who can approach anyone and question them about their sexuality."
Gay people are now avoiding cafes where they once met in public, some of which have shut, they said.
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@bc22 Thanks, your post and article illustrate how the LGBT human rights situation in the countries of the former Soviet Union has largely gone from bad to worse, with the possible exception of the Baltic states.
At the same time, I think advocating on social media for gay rallies at Uzbek Muslim holy sites is an aggressive, ill-chosen strategy. The blogger behind these posts is described as straight, and unfortunately suffered serious injuries, but I find his efforts naive and needlessly provocative for a developing Muslim country.
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@flozen imagine caring about some stupid religion instead of the lgbt who are treated like lepers, 3rd class citizens after women in those countries
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@di3di3di3 Right -- I can't imagine it. I was noting that in dangerous countries and cultures, LGBT and advocates should choose their battles wisely -- in order to fight another day.
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