Tbilisi Pride, a significant LGBTQ+ event held in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, was marred by a violent attack orchestrated by anti-LGBTQ+ protestors. The event, which took place on 8 July, was disrupted as thousands of far-right nationalists stormed the gathering. Shockingly, the authorities failed to maintain the perimeter, allowing the protestors to infiltrate the venue, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the event. This incident has sparked widespread outrage and prompted the European Pride Organisers Association to demand accountability from the Georgian government.
The protest, marked by the presence of members of the Orthodox Christian clergy, saw the waving of national flags and religious icons while clashes erupted between the protestors and law enforcement. The distressing scenes included the burning of pride flags, symbolizing a blatant act of hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community. The European Pride Organisers Association has condemned the Georgian government for their failure to prevent the infiltration of “hundreds of far-right nationalist thugs” and for the subsequent cancellation of Tbilisi Pride. Association president Kristīne Garina expressed the association’s loss of trust in the Georgian government, emphasizing that their assurances counted for nothing.
The violent attack on Tbilisi Pride is not an isolated incident but rather a manifestation of a broader trend of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in Georgia. Previous Pride events in the country’s capital have also faced similar acts of aggression. The inability of law enforcement to prevent the far-right protestors from storming the event highlights a profound incompetence in public office and a failure to fulfill the crucial responsibility of protecting citizens.
In response to the accusations leveled against them, Georgia’s deputy interior minister, Alexander Darakhvelidze, claimed that the open area where the event was held posed challenges for policing, enabling the mob to bypass security measures. However, Tbilisi Pride criticized law enforcement for their failure to employ proportional force against the attackers and even suggested that the assault was a coordinated operation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and a Russian-affiliated, far-right group.
The condemnation of the attack extends beyond LGBTQ+ organizations. Georgia’s president, Salome Zourabichvili, denounced the mob and pointed out the involvement of parliamentary members and ruling party affiliates in instigating and supporting the anti-LGBTQ+ protestors through social media. Zourabichvili called on the ruling party to cease employing hate speech and inciting further confrontation, emphasizing the urgent need for a change in approach.
The violent attack on Tbilisi Pride serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia. As the demand for accountability grows, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by the European LGBTQ+ Association and the international community. The incident underscores the importance of safeguarding the fundamental principles of inclusivity, respect, and protection for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.