02-03-2026, 07:59 PM
Reshuffle in Utaristani government as LGBTQ+ rights act is passed
Cise, Utaristan | 23. 2. 5715
Two months after the cruel murder of two women in front of a lesbian bar in Toguz, the Revolutionary People's Assembly has passed the Equal Protections and Opportunities Act, which was promptly approved by the Supreme Revolutionary People's Council and President Abenanka Ibraev. Drafted up by the Special Advisory Committee on Sexual and Gender Identities established in the wake of the murders, the EPOA clarifies the stance of the Utaristani state on matters of sexual and gender minorities.
The act establishes legal provisions for hate crimes based on gender or sexual identities and provisions against discrimination based on sexual or gender identity. It explicitly allows same-sex sexual contact and allows citizens to serve in the Revolutionary People's Army no matter their sexual or gender identity, both matters that were considered to be ambiguous before. The act also establishes recognition of same-sex unions, but not same-sex marriage or adoption by same-sex couples, a fact that may be disappointing to some. The act is most conservative regarding transgender rights. It also codifies an official process for gender transition, but as part of the process, individuals have to undergo procedures that can be considered invasive, such as intense medical and psychological examinations, examination and approval by a ministry commission, and even castration, as gender-reassignment surgery is needed to change the gender marker in documents. Non-binary identities are still not recognised.
Along with the new law, there are new developments in the case of the murders. The accused, Tesha Negmatov, has been found guilty of murder and terrorism by the Greater Cise Province Revolutionary People's Court and sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out several days ago. Along with the execution, there are reports that several high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Security, Toguz Public Security, and several other offices have been dismissed from their posts. According to experts, under different circumstances Negmatov could have avoided the death penalty, only enduring several years or a lifetime in prison, but due to very public international attention to the case, especially from Xsampa and Bianjie, the regime saw this affair as an international embarrassment and decided to take drastic measures.
In a social media post, a new queer Utaristani organisation, 'Revolutionary People's Pride Association', has announced its formation following approval of the Ministry of Civic Rights and Wellbeing. Officially it is independent of government, though one must wonder how possible that is in an authoritarian regime like Utaristan, and its stated purpose is to promote support and rights for queer people in Utaristan. The association has already announced it has planned a pride parade in Cise for June '5715 and a vigil in Toguz for the victims of the shooting on 6th December.
The act establishes legal provisions for hate crimes based on gender or sexual identities and provisions against discrimination based on sexual or gender identity. It explicitly allows same-sex sexual contact and allows citizens to serve in the Revolutionary People's Army no matter their sexual or gender identity, both matters that were considered to be ambiguous before. The act also establishes recognition of same-sex unions, but not same-sex marriage or adoption by same-sex couples, a fact that may be disappointing to some. The act is most conservative regarding transgender rights. It also codifies an official process for gender transition, but as part of the process, individuals have to undergo procedures that can be considered invasive, such as intense medical and psychological examinations, examination and approval by a ministry commission, and even castration, as gender-reassignment surgery is needed to change the gender marker in documents. Non-binary identities are still not recognised.
Along with the new law, there are new developments in the case of the murders. The accused, Tesha Negmatov, has been found guilty of murder and terrorism by the Greater Cise Province Revolutionary People's Court and sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out several days ago. Along with the execution, there are reports that several high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Security, Toguz Public Security, and several other offices have been dismissed from their posts. According to experts, under different circumstances Negmatov could have avoided the death penalty, only enduring several years or a lifetime in prison, but due to very public international attention to the case, especially from Xsampa and Bianjie, the regime saw this affair as an international embarrassment and decided to take drastic measures.
In a social media post, a new queer Utaristani organisation, 'Revolutionary People's Pride Association', has announced its formation following approval of the Ministry of Civic Rights and Wellbeing. Officially it is independent of government, though one must wonder how possible that is in an authoritarian regime like Utaristan, and its stated purpose is to promote support and rights for queer people in Utaristan. The association has already announced it has planned a pride parade in Cise for June '5715 and a vigil in Toguz for the victims of the shooting on 6th December.
Read more articles related to Toguz attack:
- Two dead in fatal shooting at lesbian bar in Toguz | 6. 12. 5714
In other news:
- Minister of Dovani Affairs says DSO membership is 'not being considered'
- President Ibraev labels the Xsampan and New Verhamese ratification of the Altéa Accords 'unfortunate and disappointing'
- Utaristani diaspora in Bianjie and Xsampa organises protests in support of the queer community in Utaristan
journal.news.ut is independent multilingual newspaper reporting on Utaristan. It is currently based in Ambagašan, Bianjie, due to the lack of freedom of the press in Utaristan.
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