Georgian lawmakers have approved a law on 'family values and the protection of minors' that imposes significant restrictions on LGBTQ rights. The bill, passed in its third and final reading, allows authorities to ban Pride events, public displays of the LGBTQ rainbow flag, and censor films and books.
The ruling Georgian Dream party argues that the law is necessary to uphold traditional moral standards in Georgia, where the Orthodox Church wields considerable influence. Critics, however, view the legislation as a political move to garner conservative support ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election on October 26.
The bill also reinforces an existing ban on same-sex marriage and prohibits gender reassignment surgery, leading to concerns among LGBTQ activists. A campaign group director expressed fears that the law could force their organization to shut down, calling it a severe setback for the LGBTQ community in Georgia.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, though critical of the bill, may be unable to prevent its enactment as Georgian Dream holds enough parliamentary seats to override a potential veto. LGBTQ rights have long been a contentious issue in Georgia, with widespread disapproval of same-sex relationships and a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Recent years have seen physical attacks on participants of Tbilisi's Pride marches by anti-LGBTQ groups. The ruling party's campaign against LGBTQ rights comes amidst deepening ties with Russia and strained relations with Western nations.
Despite facing criticism for passing authoritarian laws, Georgian Dream remains popular in the country. The upcoming election will be crucial for LGBTQ rights advocates, who see a change in government as the only hope for progress. The opposition parties, however, have not been vocal supporters of LGBTQ rights.
The future of LGBTQ rights in Georgia hinges on the outcome of the election, with activists urging the community to mobilize and vote for change to safeguard their rights and push for progress.
