Introduction: Living in Fear
In Turkmenistan, LGBT citizens endure some of the harshest conditions in the world. Same-sex relations remain criminalised under Article 135 of the Criminal Code, which prescribes prison sentences of up to two years. Beyond imprisonment, LGBT individuals face torture, blackmail, social stigma, and total exclusion from legal protections. This climate of fear and persecution forces many LGBT Turkmens to hide their identities or flee abroad in search of safety.


Criminalisation of Same-Sex Relations
Turkmenistan is one of the few remaining post-Soviet states where same-sex relations remain explicitly criminalised. Article 135 not only enforces imprisonment but also legitimises systemic discrimination against LGBT people. This law is frequently used by police as a tool for harassment, extortion, and abuse.


Police Abuse and Blackmail
Law enforcement agencies are notorious for targeting LGBT individuals. Victims report arbitrary arrests, beatings, and blackmail, with police threatening to expose their identities to families or employers unless bribes are paid. This institutionalised abuse deepens mistrust of authorities and leaves LGBT citizens completely unprotected.

Torture in Detention
Reports from human rights organisations describe horrific treatment of LGBT detainees in Turkmen prisons. Beatings, sexual violence, and degrading treatment are common, with authorities justifying abuse by portraying homosexuality as a moral or social illness. Prisoners often face solitary confinement and denial of medical care, further endangering their lives.

Social Stigma and Violence
LGBT citizens in Turkmenistan not only endure state persecution but also widespread social hostility. Homophobia is deeply entrenched in cultural and religious attitudes, with families often disowning or abusing LGBT relatives. This isolation leaves LGBT people vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and mental health struggles.


Absence of Legal Protections
Turkmenistan provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people. Employment, housing, healthcare, and education all remain inaccessible to those who are open about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Without any form of legal recognition or protection, LGBT Turkmens are forced into invisibility.


Mental Health Consequences
The constant threat of arrest, torture, and rejection takes a devastating toll on LGBT citizens’ mental health. High rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts are reported, though few mental health professionals are equipped to provide supportive care.


Silenced Activism
Unlike in some neighbouring states, there is virtually no LGBT activism in Turkmenistan due to fear of imprisonment and violence. Any attempt to organise or advocate for LGBT rights is immediately suppressed by authorities, ensuring that LGBT voices remain silenced.


Migration as a Lifeline
For many LGBT Turkmens, migration is the only way to survive. Exile allows them to live openly, build supportive communities, and advocate for rights from abroad. Diaspora groups play a vital role in highlighting the persecution of LGBT citizens at home and lobbying for international support.


International Condemnation
International watchdogs, including ILGA-Europe, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, have repeatedly condemned Turkmenistan for criminalising homosexuality and perpetrating abuse. The United Nations has also urged the government to repeal discriminatory laws and protect LGBT citizens, but authorities have resisted reform.


Regional Comparisons
Turkmenistan stands out in Central Asia for its extreme repression of LGBT people. While neighbouring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have decriminalised same-sex relations, Turkmenistan remains one of the most hostile environments for LGBT citizens in the region.

Conclusion: Hiding or Fleeing
For LGBT Turkmens, life at home means hiding their identities or facing imprisonment and torture. Until the government repeals discriminatory laws and embraces protections for LGBT rights, exile will remain the only lifeline for those seeking dignity and survival.