New Legislation in Georgia Restricts LGBTQ+ Rights
The Georgian Parliament has passed a controversial law that imposes significant restrictions on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The legislation, proposed by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, was approved during a recent parliamentary session. All 84 members of the majority party supported the bill, while opposition parties chose to boycott the vote.
What the New Law Entails
This new legislation directly impacts several aspects of LGBTQ+ life in Georgia. Same-sex marriages are now explicitly banned, as is adoption by same-sex couples. The law also places severe limitations on gender-affirming healthcare, making it harder for individuals to access care related to gender transitions. Moreover, it prohibits the public recognition of LGBTQ+ relationships and restricts media representations of the community, limiting visibility and representation in society.
Comparisons to Russian Policies
This law bears a striking resemblance to similar measures enacted in Russia over the past decade, particularly regarding the prohibition of “non-traditional sexual relationships” in public spaces. Russian laws also restrict medical care for transgender individuals and label LGBTQ+ activism as a form of extremism, effectively banning the operation of LGBTQ+ organizations within the country.
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Growing Concern Over Russian Influence
The adoption of this legislation follows a pattern seen in other recent laws passed in Georgia, many of which mirror Russian policies. One such example is the “foreign influence” law, which was met with widespread protests earlier this year. Many Georgians see these laws as a threat to the country’s democratic freedoms and its aspirations to join the European Union.
Civil Society Pushback
Ahead of the vote, several civil society groups voiced their opposition to the law, urging President Salomé Zourabichvili to veto it. The groups warned that the law promotes hatred and suppresses fundamental rights, likening it to a form of state-sanctioned censorship and oppression.
This development has raised concerns among activists and citizens alike, who fear that the law could lead to increased marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia, limiting their rights and social freedoms even further.
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