Politics Georgia severely restricts the rights of homosexuals

The parliament of the South Caucasus republic of Georgia has dramatically restricted the rights of homosexuals and other sexual minorities.

The law introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party bans same-sex marriages, the adoption of children by same-sex couples and gender changes, among other things. The law was passed with a clear majority, according to a parliamentary statement. It also criminalizes so-called propaganda for non-traditional relationships.

The draft law had already been criticized by the European Union in advance. The law "On family values and the protection of minors" is due to come into force after its publication, but President Salome Zurabishvili could still veto it. According to observers, however, this veto is only likely to have a suspensive effect. In the past, parliament has overcome vetoes with the necessary majority.

The law in Georgia is very similar to the Russian model. There, too, the rights of the LGBTQ+ community were severely restricted. The abbreviation LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people, while the plus sign stands for other identities.

In 2023, the European Union granted Georgia the status of an EU accession candidate. After the parliament in Tbilisi passed a law in May against foreign funding of non-governmental organizations, relations with Brussels deteriorated. The adoption of the law was accompanied by massive protests.

Parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia at the end of October. Under the leadership of billionaire and party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, the "Georgian Dream", which has been in power since 2012, is aiming for a constitutional majority.