A controversial law curbing LGBTQ rights in Georgia has been passed, marking a significant victory for the ruling party, Georgian Dream, despite opposition from the president. The law, approved last month by lawmakers, bans gender transitions, prohibits the display of LGBTQ symbols and pride marches, and could even lead to the censorship of films and books with LGBTQ themes.
The Georgian Dream party justifies the law by arguing it’s necessary to protect the country’s Orthodox Christian church from external influence. However, President Salome Zourabichvili refused to sign the bill into law, voicing her criticism of the ruling party’s actions.
Critics and LGBTQ activists strongly condemn the law, seeing it as a politically motivated move aimed at garnering support from conservative voters ahead of the October 26 election. The law’s provisions go beyond restrictions on public displays: it also criminalizes the organization of pride parades, bans gender transitions, prohibits same-sex adoption, and nullifies same-sex marriages performed outside Georgia.
The enactment of this law has sparked fear and uncertainty among pro-LGBTQ groups in the capital city of Tbilisi, with many expressing concern that they may be forced to close their doors. The passage of this law represents a major setback for LGBTQ rights in Georgia, raising concerns about the future of LGBTQ individuals and organizations in the country.
