Overview
The human rights initiative Journalists for Tolerance conducted a ten-month monitoring of hate speech and discriminatory language targeting LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarusian media. The monitoring, which covered the period from January to October 2022, aimed to identify dominant rhetorical patterns, assess changes over time, and support strategic interventions for journalists, educators, and human rights advocates.
The study analysed 290 publications from 28 Belarusian online media outlets — both national and local, and spanning websites and Telegram channels. Each article was assessed for the use of incorrect vocabulary and for manifestations of hate speech. Incorrect vocabulary refers to stereotypical and outdated expressions that, while not overtly dangerous, normalise stigma and reproduce social inequality. Hate speech, in contrast, includes content that incites hatred, dehumanisation, or violence.
Main Trends
The findings show a sharp and worrying increase in the use of hate speech. In 2022, nearly half — 44% — of all media publications on LGBTQ+ topics contained hate speech elements. This marks a dramatic rise compared to 2021, when the figure was 24%. Equally concerning is the fact that for the first time since 2018, the share of media using incorrect vocabulary (53%) surpassed the share of those using correct terminology (47%). This reversal of trend indicates a significant regression, particularly after a period during which national media had shown growing adherence to respectful language standards.
What distinguishes the 2022 results is the erosion of the previous divide between national and local media. In earlier years, national outlets were more likely to use appropriate language, whereas local media lagged behind. This year, however, both levels of media demonstrated equal frequency in the use of incorrect terminology and discriminatory narratives. The media landscape has evidently been affected by the political aftermath of 2020, including intensified repression and the closure or silencing of independent outlets.
Another shift is the content focus within these publications. While earlier reports highlighted the problem of LGBTQ+ topics being superficially mentioned or neglected altogether, the current monitoring shows the opposite. Incorrect and hateful rhetoric is now more often found in publications that deal with LGBTQ+ issues in detail. Alarmingly, only 38% of in-depth articles used correct language — down from nearly 90% before the 2020 crisis. This suggests that visibility does not equal safety: the more attention the topic receives, the more likely it is framed in hostile or dehumanising terms.
A further layer of concern is the emergence of hate speech even within articles that use formally correct vocabulary. For the first time since monitoring began, some publications employed respectful language as a rhetorical mask for inciting hatred — a manipulation that complicates the task of identifying harmful content and calls for greater media literacy and ethical scrutiny.
Framing and Vocabulary
Most of the media coverage still avoids addressing the actual lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarus. Only 19% of the articles spoke about local realities. A significant portion focused instead on portraying LGBTQ+ themes in the context of Western politics, often presenting them as a threat to Belarusian or “traditional” values. This ideological framing was especially prominent in state-controlled media and was closely tied to Russian narratives.
Key terms used in the media show a persistent pattern. The most frequent were “LGBT” and “gay,” used interchangeably to represent the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum. At the same time, pejorative or euphemistic terms such as “non-traditional orientation,” “sexual minority,” and “homosexuality” appeared in about 16% of publications — a level similar to the previous year. There was also a troubling resurgence of religiously charged slurs such as “Sodom” and “sodomite,” which had largely disappeared from media discourse in the preceding years but have now returned since 2020.
Conclusions and Implications
The 2022 monitoring reveals a deteriorating media environment in Belarus when it comes to coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. The rise in both incorrect vocabulary and overt hate speech, especially in in-depth articles, indicates not just a lack of awareness but a deliberate instrumentalisation of LGBTQ+ themes for political or ideological purposes. The loss of ethical distinctions between national and local media only deepens this concern.
These findings highlight the urgency of renewed efforts to support ethical journalism, promote media literacy, and advocate for the rights of vulnerable groups. Journalists, editors, educators, and activists must work together to counteract the normalisation of hostile rhetoric and reclaim media spaces for accurate, inclusive, and respectful public dialogue.
The full report and data appendix are available upon request.
