Georgia has adopted Russian-style anti-LGBTQ laws.
State-sponsored homophobia in action.
As expected, the parliament of Georgia has voted in favour of adopting Russian-style anti-LGBTQ laws - criminalising all LGBTQ events, removing any LGBTQ rights, and attempting to erase the visibility of LGBTQ people from public life.
The country's ruling party is the Georgian Dream party - they control the country's parliament.
The approved legislation makes any kind of LGBTQ-related gathering illegal. It also outlaws same-sex marriages, gender transition and the adoption of children by same-sex couples, as well banning LGBTQ “propaganda” in schools and prohibiting the broadcast of intimate scenes involving same-sex relationships.
Broadcasters, advertisers and movie theatres will also be ordered to redact any content that features same-sex relationships - regardless of the intended age of the audience.
The law also removes any rights or legal recognition of same-sex couples.
Amidst continuing unrest and protests in Georgia, the anti-LGBTQ legislation is a distraction tactic, while also appealing to the socially-conservative base of Georgian Dream. Parliamentary elections will be held in the next five weeks which will be a measure of how successful this tactic has been in solidifying the conservatives' hold on power.
Adopting the anti-LGBTQ laws marks a significant move away from the European Union.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Georgia?
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Georgia? Let’s take a look at some of the key equality measures.
Is homosexuality legal in Georgia?
Yes. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 2000.
The age-of-consent is equal, regardless of sexuality.
Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Georgia
Yes. Comprehensive anti-discrimination provisions were implemented in 2014.
Is there Marriage Equality in Georgia?
No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
Georgia’s constitution specifically limits marriage to opposite-sex couples.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Georgia?
Georgia is a socially conservative country, and homosexuality is considered a taboo subject.
The Orthodox Christian church plays a strong role in shaping public opinion and reinforcing negative perceptions of LGBTQ people.
Georgia’s legislative moves towards equality have generally been influenced by policy requirements for closer alignment with the European Union, but the current government appears to have aligned itself closer to Russia and is adopting Russian-style state-sponsored homophobia.