Antigay Group In Bishkek Breaks Up Ukrainian Dance Performance
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 October 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Antigay Group In Bishkek Breaks Up Ukrainian Dance Performance, 18 October 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54491f2a4.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A group calling itself "Kalys," Kyrgyz for arbitrator, has disrupted a scheduled performance of the Ukrainian dance group Kazaky in Bishkek.
Reports on October 18 said some 100 people arrived at the venue for Kazaky's show during the evening of October 17 and protested outside the entrance.
Kalys said it would not allow "homosexual propaganda," adding that its aim is the "preservation of traditional family values."
Kazaky have often been accused of promoting homosexuality, and several of their performances in Russia have been broken up by protests.
The Bishkek police said they had no plans to bring charges against any of the Kalys protesters for disrupting the dance performance since, according to police, the Kalys demonstrators did not violate any laws.
Kyrgyzstan's parliament is in the final stages of debating a law that would criminalize dissemination of propaganda promoting homosexuality, similar to a law Russia passed last year.
