The Georgian Parliament has moved decisively in a vote that could alter the landscape for LGBT rights in the country. On Tuesday, lawmakers passed a controversial bill aimed at “protecting family values and minors.” The law, hailed by its proponents, notably from the Georgian Dream party, provides a legal basis to ban Pride marches, restrict the display of LGBT symbols like the rainbow flag, and impose censorship on films and books that discuss LGBT issues. This comes at a time when Georgia’s political future teeters between the West and Russia, both geographically and ideologically.
Critics argue that the legislation is not merely about family values but is a targeted attack on the LGBT community, seen by many as an effort to galvanize conservative voters ahead of next month’s parliamentary election. Tamara Jakeli, a prominent LGBT activist and director of Tbilisi Pride, condemned the bill, describing it as a devastating blow to the LGBT community. “This law is the most terrible thing to happen to us. It will likely force us to close,” she shared. Such measures, according to Jakeli, do more than curtail rights—they erase visibility and presence.
Despite Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili signaling that she might block the law, the governing party has the numbers to override her veto. The country remains starkly divided over LGBT rights, with recent polls showing strong opposition to same-sex relationships. Anti-LGBT sentiment has only grown more prominent in recent years, amplified by the Orthodox Church’s influence. Tbilisi Pride events, once a rallying cry for equality, have become a flashpoint for violence and protests by conservative groups.
Georgia’s trajectory raises questions about its commitment to European integration. While the country has expressed interest in joining the EU, laws like this suggest a shift towards more authoritarian governance in line with neighboring Russia’s policies. The LGBT community, caught between political powers, faces an increasingly hostile environment where even the promise of European inclusion feels distant.