Attack on Blogger Drives Uzbek Gay Community Underground

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. An angry mob later attacked several young people who planned to attend an event organised by Bazarov, although it had nothing to do with LGBT issues and was devoted to Korean pop music and Japanese cartoons. Police said they intervened and prevented injuries. 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. “They are afraid to step outside, some have left their home cities, fearing for their lives,” said an Uzbek human rights activist who also requested anonymity.

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