In Kyrgyzstan, the organisation Labrys organised a diverse week-long programme in celebration of the IDAHOT – the ‘Kyrgyz Week Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2014′. The events addressed new legal and political developments in Kyrgyzstan, especially given the recent tabling of draft legislation to criminalise homosexual ‘Propaganda’ in the national Parliament.

On March 26, 2014 two members of the Kyrgyz parliament initiated a draft law banning propaganda of ‘non-traditional sexual relations’, modelled on similar legislation in Russia and other countries. The bill has since been registered in the Parliament, taken down for technical revisions, and re-registered in May. Owing to Russia’s dominance in the Kyrgyz information sphere, the level of homo- and transphobia in the country has risen sharply. With the support of Labrys, a Coalition of civil society organisations for Justice and Non-discrimination has been organised, working on opposing the draft law since then.

In this context LGBTIQA organisation Labrys has organised a more downplayed contribution to the Kyrgyz Week Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – 2014, which started on 14 May with an announcement of “I exist! I am a citizen!”, an arts competition among LGBTIQA communities of Kyrgyzstan, conducted from 14 May to 14 June 2014. One of the main goals of the competition is to offer an opportunity for LGBTIQA communities to express their civic position in conditions of increasing homophobia and transphobia in the country and to also politicise and inspire LGBTIQA activities in Kyrgyzstan.

In the context of the Week Against Homophobia and Transphobia in Kyrgyzstan 2014 the LGBTIQ organisation Labrys also hosted a “Rainbow weekend” with a variety of events on the 17th and 18th of May.

On May 17 (Saturday) there was a whole “Day at Labrys” in their office. The program included:
1. Film Screenings of three films, including ‘Breakfast on Pluto’ and ‘Room in Rome’.
2 . Campaign for LGBTIQ communities of Kyrgyzstan. In reaction to the bill that has been brought forward in the Parliament, the action include writing letters to MPs to prevent this bill from being put in place.
3 . Celebratory picnic.
4 . Game Zone. All day – board games in good company.
5 . Souvenirs. The organisers gave out Labrys T-Shirts.
6. Communication without borders in a safe space.

On Sunday, May 18, a whole day of activities for the LGBTIQ community took place outside, in a beautiful place in Kyrgyzstan. The program included:
– Scenic places of Kyrgyzstan.
– Team Encounter Games – 5 teams of 10 people.
– Barbecue.
– Prizes for winners, and gifts for all members of the organization LGBTIQA Labrys.

Letters to Parliament for IDAHOT 2014 in Kyrgyzstan. Source: Labrys

Highlights of the commemorations included a series of public film screenings – “SPACE OF TOLERANCE”. The audience heard real life stories of different LGBT people and their personal experiences in tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. The program included two documentary films – Anyone and Everyone (2007, USA) and Freeheld (2007, USA).

Meetings between LGBT organizations, activists and civil society representatives – such as gender and human rights associations, and volunteers of youth groups – took place as part of the Week.

Another event, a plenary discussion on the protection of the rights of LGBT communities in Kyrgyzstan, was marked by the participation of various representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions present in the country.

Training programs, discussions, several healthy lifestyle-themed sports activities and mass cultural events also featured, as participants gathered from all over the country.