The shocking murder of Kesaria Abramidze, a celebrated transgender model in Georgia, has sent shockwaves through the country, particularly in the wake of newly passed legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights. Abramidze, a prominent figure in the Georgian LGBTQ+ community, was found stabbed to death in her Tbilisi apartment on Wednesday. The alleged perpetrator was swiftly apprehended, but the tragedy has fueled a wave of outrage and condemnation.
Abramidze’s death comes amidst growing controversy surrounding the controversial “family values and the protection of minors” legislation, which passed through the Georgian parliament on Tuesday. This legislation includes sweeping bans on same-sex marriages and gender-affirming treatments, drawing parallels to similar anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Russia. Critics have argued that this law, pushed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is a blatant attempt to curtail fundamental freedoms and incite discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The passage of this legislation follows a turbulent year in Georgia marked by anti-LGBTQ+ violence. In 2022, a planned LGBTQ+ festival in Tbilisi was violently disrupted by protesters, forcing its cancellation. This year, hundreds marched in the capital, promoting what they termed “traditional family values.”
However, the legislation faces potential resistance from Georgia’s pro-western president, Salome Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial. It is anticipated that she may veto the law before it takes effect.
The law’s passage is also expected to strain relations between Georgia and the European Union. Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, has urged the Georgian government to retract the “family values” law, highlighting its potential to derail Georgia’s aspirations to join the bloc. He expressed concerns about the legislation’s negative impact on fundamental rights and its potential to exacerbate discrimination. “The Georgian Parliament adopted laws on ‘family values and protection of minors’ which will undermine the fundamental rights of the people and increase discrimination & stigmatization,” Borrell wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I call on Georgia to withdraw this legislation, further derailing the country from its EU path.”
The tragic death of Kesaria Abramidze has brought into sharp focus the dangers posed by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation. Many activists believe her murder is a direct consequence of the hostile environment created by the “family values” law. The Social Justice Center, a human rights organization based in Tbilisi, stated that there is a direct correlation between hate speech in politics and hate crimes. Abramidze’s murder serves as a chilling reminder of the real-world consequences of such discriminatory policies, raising urgent questions about the safety and well-being of Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community.
