Georgia enacts controversial law banning 'LGBT propaganda'

The Georgian Parliament has passed a controversial law, criticized by the West, that prohibits "LGBT propaganda." The legislation impacts the entire Georgian LGBT community, including individuals undergoing transition and the doctors who assist them.

The rights of LGBT people worldwide often seem like an endless parabola. On one hand, countries like Malta allow same-sex couples to adopt children and legalize same-sex marriages. On the other hand, some nations impose severe punishments, including the death penalty, for being gay. Despite the efforts of human rights activists and the LGBT community to effect change, many countries, particularly those with significant Muslim populations, impose strict regulations on whom their citizens can love and what they should believe. These restrictions are often codified in a series of state documents.

European activists have been closely monitoring Georgia due to actions taken by the political party Georgian Dream, which aligns the country more with Russia. On September 17, 2024, at 5:00 AM ET, the Georgian Parliament passed a law banning "LGBT propaganda." This new legislation bears a striking resemblance to a similar law in Russia. It bans same-sex marriages, prohibits the adoption of children by same-sex couples, and outlaws gender correction surgeries. The legislation also imposes prison sentences on doctors who assist in the transition process. Moreover, the law forbids the dissemination of information popularizing LGBT in the media and educational institutions, and it bans events supporting LGBT individuals, such as Pride Parades.

The law was passed with the support of 84 members of Parliament, with none opposing. The opposition party boycotted the vote in protest. The law's future now hinges on Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has announced plans to veto it. However, the Georgian Dream party may have sufficient votes to override the veto.