In Almaty, police summoned Gulzada Serzhan, co-founder of the Feminita feminist initiative, and two other activists for questioning. The alleged “LGBT propaganda” in the Ten Tershilik podcast was the reason. The Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights describes the incident as the first attempt to enforce the new restrictions in practice.
On August 25, Serzhan was summoned to the Almaty Police Department. According to KIBHR, she was contacted by an officer from the organized crime unit. The police questions concerned an episode of Ten Tershilik devoted to environmentalism, veganism, and matriarchy. The podcast was not publicly available—it could only be accessed via a link. After Serzhan gave her statement, the police summoned two other women who had taken part in the recording for questioning.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed what exactly in the podcast law enforcement considered possible “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation.” As of publication, the matter involves questioning and an investigation; there is no information about any charges filed or penalties imposed.
Feminita links the incident to amendments adopted in Kazakhstan in late 2025 and fears that the new provisions could be used to persecute LGBTQ+ people and activists.
The law does prohibit the dissemination of so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation.” Kazakhstani law defines this as the public dissemination of information about such an orientation or “commitment to it” with the aim of fostering a positive public attitude. The restrictions also apply to the media, the internet, and online platforms.
The amendments were approved by parliament in December 2025 and subsequently signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The law introduces corresponding restrictions into several pieces of legislation, including laws on mass media, online platforms, advertising, cinema, and the protection of children from harmful information.
If KIBHR's assessment is correct, the Ten Tershilik case may become the first known instance of Kazakhstani law enforcement attempting to apply the ban on “LGBT propaganda” to specific content. It remains unclear, however, whether the investigation will result in administrative or other proceedings.
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