LGBTQ+ Community Loses Big Time in Georgia, Europe

LGBTQ+ Community Loses Big Time in Georgia, Europe

The LGBTQ+ was dealt a devasting blow by the Georgia Parliament last week, just as Pride Month concluded. No, not the Georgia in the US (although we are battling our own fight), the Georgia in Europe, right at the intersection of Europe and Asia. Known for its beaches, architecture, and wineries, Georgia is a former Soviet republic with a population at almost 4 million.

Created by the nation's ruling party, the Georgian Dream party, a package of bills was introduced that bans any promotion of same-sex relationships or marriage equality, sets strict definitions on gender as binary, prohibits any considered LGBTQ propaganda, outlaws gender-affirming care, and prevents the adoption of children by any individual or couple that is not heterosexual. In addition, the bills' verbiage can be used to ban Pride parades or the display of a Pride flag. It also redefines marriage as between a man and a woman. These limitations also affect any discussion or promotion of anyone from the queer community, placing the community under the same category as incest. Sound familiar?

⭕️ Announcement: No Pride Week in 2024

: https://t.co/StzFTvOT2A pic.twitter.com/XVE8vHSy9h

— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) June 14, 2024

Giorgi Tabagari, founder of Pride in Tbilisi (the nation's capital), told Reuters that these bills will make life as an LGBTQ+ person "unbearable." They canceled Pride this year due to the violence that erupted last year. Over 2,000 extremists attacked the event and everyone was forced to evacuate. Police tried fighting the mob but they were able to destroy the stage and bar area. The organizers of Pride said this was a premeditated attack, with a Russian anti-LGBTQ group as co-conspirators. They said they were totally unprotected by the police and the government.

❗️We were compelled to cancel the Pride Fest and evacuate the Fest territory. @MIAofGeorgia once again neglected to protect us from violent far-right groups and allowed the mobs to prevent us from exercising our freedom of expression & assembly even in private settings.

— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) July 8, 2023

The capital has been home to daily protests by the queer community, but the likely passage of these bills will undoubtedly silence those. The nation is historically conservative with an Orthodox Christian heritage majority.

The bills still have to be reviewed further and have to pass two more votes before being sent to the President for her approval. She is an independent, but even if she decides to veto, parliament can still override it.

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