Georgia Enacts Law Curtailing LGBTQ+ Rights, Echoes Russia

A Georgian Orthodox Church clergyman attends a celebration of the Day of Family Purity in the conservative country where animosity toward LGBTQ+ people is strong, in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 17

In a move that mirrors legislation in neighboring Russia, the speaker of the Georgian parliament signed into law a bill that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights in the country. The legislation, introduced by the governing Georgian Dream party and approved by lawmakers, includes bans on same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples, public endorsement of LGBTQ+ relations in the media, and gender-affirming care.

The bill, which was returned to parliament by President Salome Zourabichvili before being signed, has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from human rights advocates and LGBTQ+ activists. The law has been viewed as an attempt by the governing party to appeal to conservative groups in the lead-up to a parliamentary election.

Georgia, a predominantly conservative country where the Orthodox Church holds significant influence, has seen demonstrations and violent incidents targeting LGBTQ+ individuals even prior to the introduction of this legislation. The law has been compared to similar measures in Russia, where public endorsement of 'nontraditional sexual relations' has been banned, and LGBTQ+ activism has been labeled as extremist.

Bans on same-sex marriages, adoptions, public endorsement, and gender-affirming care.

Georgian Dream party introduces bill restricting LGBTQ+ rights.

President returned bill before speaker signed it into law.

Concerns about increased violence were raised following the final approval of the bill, particularly after the tragic death of transgender actor and model Kesaria Avramidze in Tbilisi. The LGBTQ+ community in Georgia has faced challenges, with instances of opposition and violence against them.

The legislation comes amidst broader political tensions in Georgia, with President Zourabichvili clashing with the governing party over previous laws. The country's aspirations to join the European Union have been complicated by recent legislation requiring media and NGOs to register as 'pursuing the interests of a foreign power' if they receive significant funding from abroad.

Georgia's political landscape is further complicated by its historical ties with Russia, with the governing party accused of aligning the country with Moscow at the expense of its European ambitions. The government's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has raised concerns about Georgia's foreign policy direction and its relationship with Western powers.