Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko addressed citizens and members of the National Assembly with remarks that touched on social norms and public discourse around LGBT topics. In a speech characterized by a mix of personal judgment and political caution, he spoke about the place of different views within Belarusian society and the way moral issues are discussed in public life. The president conveyed a personal stance that combined forgiveness with a clear boundary against what he described as behaviors he deemed unacceptable. He asserted that there had not been visible progress on certain social questions and framed his comments within a broader discussion about values and national unity.
According to his account, Belarus hosts a substantial number of LGBT individuals, including professionals and officials, and he claimed that their work demonstrated high standards of professionalism. He suggested that these individuals contributed effectively in various sectors of public life, highlighting a viewpoint that the personal conduct of individuals should not necessarily dictate their professional performance. The president stressed that his observations were not meant to undermine the dignity of LGBT people but rather to address concerns about social norms and public messaging.
In detailing his stance, the president indicated that while society should not be exposed to propaganda that promotes certain relationships as ideal, he did not advocate punitive measures aimed at private aspects of people’s lives. He spoke about avoiding the creation of a climate in which these relationships would be celebrated or encouraged through public campaigns, signaling a preference for caution in how such topics are presented to the broader population.
During the same period, parliamentary leadership noted discussions about possible legislation regulating public discourse on LGBT issues. A spokesperson for the parliament indicated that the republic could consider measures to regulate or restrict LGBT propaganda as part of a broader framework intended to shape public information and national values. The remarks reflect a legislative interest in balancing freedom of expression with social norms and national cultural considerations, a tension that is often at the center of policy debates within the country.