LGBT rights in Uzbekistan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people face widespread prosecution in Uzbekistan. Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal in Uzbekistan. The punishment is up to three years in prison. Uzbekistan is one of just two post-Soviet states in which male homosexual activity remains criminalised, along with Turkmenistan.

Serious societal discrimination and abuse is directed towards LGBT persons, which includes mob violence, harassment, entrapment for the purpose of blackmail, and threats and use of violence. Despite the incidence of violence and intimidation, LGBT persons generally do not report these crimes to authorities for fear of further victimisation at their hands. There are reports of extortion by police, intimidation, arbitrary detention, assaults and other mistreatment of victims who have sought police assistance. Human rights violations by police also include torture, and severe beatings in detention. Vigilante attacks and mob violence, and other hate crimes, including murders, are targeted at LGBT individuals. The Uzbek government has dismissed the need for action to protect sexual minorities, with one official declaring that even if same-sex sexual activities were decriminalised, LGBT persons could not be kept safe. Community attitudes that fuel such anti-LGBT activity stem from the Uzbek "mentality", with their "religion, culture, and traditions" making "gay men and women" unacceptable in the country, according to the spokesperson.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity
Laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity between men were enacted in the Uzbek SSR in 1926. It is criminalised in present-day Uzbekistan by Article 120 of Uzbek's criminal code (1994):

Morality laws
Article 130 covers the distribution of pornographic materials. This provision and was strengthened in 2012:

Constitution of Uzbekistan
In April 2023, the Constitution of Uzbekistan deliberately leaves out "sexual orientation" - despite all other categories are explicitly included - such as gender, race, religion and nationality.