ALLOUT, the international LGBTQIA lobby group and organiser of international solidarity for our communities, issues a stark press release this week. They say

"Last month in Minsk, police raided a private party and arrested people simply because they were suspected of being LGBT+.

This is happening in Belarus before the new anti-LGBT+ law has even been passed. The moment President Lukashenko signs the bill on his desk, these types of raids will be backed by the law.

The pending law groups LGBT+ people alongside paedophiles and punishes anyone who speaks openly about queer relationships with fines, forced labour, or arrest.

The KGB has already started blackmailing LGBT+ people. Hundreds have asked for help leaving the country. Once the new law is signed, systemic persecution will begin – with no legal recourse for those who remain.

Lukashenko has not signed yet, but that window is closing. We need to act fast!"

https://action.allout.org/en/m/7e534af6/

Nearly 50,000 All Out members have already signed TG House's petition demanding Belarusian authorities reject this law and protect equal treatment for every citizen – your signature now could help push it over the line.