Kazakhstan throws out anti-gay law ahead of Winter Olympics bid
Kazakhstan has thrown out a proposed law banning the “promotion” of homosexuality, ahead of a bid to host the Winter Olympics.
The bill, similar to a Russian bill passed in 2013, is apparently intended to protect children from harmful information. Although homosexuality has been legal in Kazakhstan since 1998, it is still widely frowned upon in society.
It governed “the protection of children from information causing damage to their health and development.”
The law was “not in line with the constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan” said the Constitutional Council was reported to have said.
Despite that the council said the unclear wording of the bill, which was passed by the Senate in February, had meant it was dropped, some have speculated that it was linked to aspirations to host the Winter Games in Almaty in 2022.
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) was urged not to consider Kazakhstan over its consideration of the bill.
