Georgia cracks down on LGBT rights, draws EU and US ire
9:23 AM EDT, June 5, 2024
The authorities of Georgia have decided to take drastic measures against "LGBT+ propaganda." They aim to introduce controversial laws despite clear opposition from the European Union and the United States. These laws are strikingly similar to those enforced in Russia. What changes will they entail?
Recently, the Georgian parliament adopted a so-called law on foreign agents modeled after a similar Russian law. Now, another controversy looms as authorities target the LGBT+ community. Despite significant opposition from the population and representatives of the European Union and the United States, the state’s authorities remain firm. How will the new law affect queer individuals residing in Georgia?
The European Union and USA oppose Georgian laws
The latest law introduced in Georgia has outraged the European Union and the United States authorities. Representatives from the EU and USA have decided to take action. The rules have affected non-governmental organizations and independent media, prompting the EU to plan to halt talks with Georgia about joining the Union and the Americans to announce sanctions on Georgian politicians and a review of further cooperation between Washington and Tbilisi.
The Georgian parliament did not concern itself with the announced consequences and is now considering another controversial law. This legislation closely resembles restrictions introduced in Russia. It will affect the LGBT+ community, or as the parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili referred to it, "LGBT+ propaganda."
The authorities of Georgia strike against LGBT+
The new law will include a ban on same-sex marriage, adoption by homosexual couples, gender reassignment, and "medical manipulation for the purpose of gender reassignment." Consequently, hormone therapy and surgeries to correct gender will become illegal in the country.
Additionally, rainbow flags and other symbols associated with the queer community will have to disappear from Georgian streets. There will be censorship in television, theaters, and cinemas—a complete ban on showing homosexual relationships. Sexual education will also be illegal, and schools will be prohibited from providing students with information that "promotes belonging to the opposite sex, same-sex relations or incest."
