On September 17, in the third reading, the Georgian Parliament passed the fascist, anti-LGBT law with the misleading populist title "On Family Values and Protection of Children", which clearly shows that it does not serve to protect anyone, but intends to destroy people's basic rights and democracy.
It is evident that the anti-LGBT law will give the government unprecedented power to control and subjugate its citizens in combination with other anti-democratic and fascist laws or initiatives passed this year, such as the repeal of gender quotas, the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence," - known as “Russian Law”, initiatives to create a unified DNA database for people with mental disorders, and more. This sets the stage for the nation's democratic system to be gradually and methodically destroyed which will eventually result in the establishment of an authoritarian, one-party regime.
It is obvious that the government's primary objective in encouraging homophobia in society is to redirect the public's anger towards one of the most vulnerable groups in advance of the elections, by directing it away from problems such as basic housing, infrastructure, employment, healthcare, and education.
Political homophobia is not new to 'Georgian Dream,' but as Bidzina Ivanishvili seeks to fully consolidate power and entrench his one-man, authoritarian rule—driven sole aim by the desire to increase his personal wealth—his loyal political team has unleashed the state's repressive machinery and media propaganda to their full potential. In their ruthless desire of power, they have nothing to fear about resurrecting the 'best traditions' of Nazi and Bolshevik authorities as pre-election campaign weapons. This involves demonising and criminalising LGBT individuals, labelling them as state enemies, and creating an extensive moral panic about gender and sexuality.
In 2012, when the previous government committed serious human rights violations, especially against LGBT people, Bidzina Ivanishvili declaring on his pre-election speeches that LGBT persons are ordinary citizens whose rights, like those of any minority, should be respected. After 12 years in power, repressing homophobia has become one of the oligarchs' last remaining measures for maintaining control. His once progressive position has been replaced by a conspiracy theory, which is shared by the leaders of 'Georgian Dream,' who are trying to convince the public that LGBT persons in modern-day Georgia are associated with a so-called 'Global War Party” and together with the local opposition parties and NGOs they intend a war in Georgia and the deprivation of the Georgian people's identity.
All of this indicates that the recently passed anti-LGBT bill serves more than just populist purposes ahead of the election.
The bill clearly aims to target the LGBT community, criminalising and eliminating their presence—a strategy frequently used by authoritarian and fascist regimes throughout history and in the present.
Additionally, the homophobic and transphobic assumptions in the bill, its use of vague, scientifically unproven terminology, and the deep intrusion it allows into people's personal lives (such as controlling conversations between parents and children), create a broad scope for manipulation. This makes it impossible to predict what statements, actions, or work will be considered illegal. Instead, anything could be postpartum deemed illegal.
For instance, one of the main terms in the bill—'Popularization,' when used in reference to gender and sexuality—is deliberately vague and essentially means sharing knowledge. This could apply to things like creative works, gatherings, or demonstrations. In essence, the law makes it possible to label any type of knowledge-sharing, information, or expression about gender and sexuality as 'popularisation' and ban it.
The 'Georgian Dream' party is signalling that it can accuse any citizen of 'popularisation' for criticising them by criminalising non-normative gender identities and sexual orientations through the purposeful vagueness and absurdity of the law, which effectively strips LGBT people of their constitutional rights—and even promising to change the constitution.' Additionally, the party is spreading conspiracy theories about LGBT connections to external or internal 'hostile elements,' and for this political personalities, organisations, medical professionals, educators, researchers, artists, writers, scientists, activists, or protest movements could all fall under this category.
Let's not forget that violations of the anti-LGBT law, in addition to administrative penalties, may also lead to criminal charges in cases of repeated offenses.
Most importantly, the spread of anti-LGBT laws to control and subjugate the general population is not just a historical practice but also a well-tested and heavily funded strategy used by far-right and fascist regimes today. A prime example is Russia, which passed anti-LGBT legislation under the guise of protecting children and family values, later using it to silence, displace, or expel many LGBT individuals and civil activists.
The anti-LGBT law that the Georgian Parliament passed is in conflict with the nation's international human rights obligations and goes against the equality principle that the Georgian Constitution guarantees. It bans free speech, public discussions on LGBTQI issues, and makes impossible for transgender individuals to get access to necessary medical health care and gender recognition. These modifications are a clear violation of Georgia's commitments to the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights Convention and rulings, anti-discrimination law, and the state constitution.
By passing this law, the Parliament has taken an unprecedented and deliberate step in the history of independent Georgia to undermine fundamental human rights, democracy, and the country's prospects for integration into the European Union
Besides the legislative process, high-ranking Georgian Dream officials, as well as the party's propaganda media outlets, 'Imedi' and 'Postv,' have openly and consistently spread hatred towards the LGBT community this year. This has caused significant harm to LGBT people, for which the government bears full responsibility. During this time, many community members have left the country, having lost their last chance of being recognised as full citizens and living with dignity.
The day after the Anti-LGBT law was passed, TV presenter and model, Kesaria Abramidze, a transgender woman, was brutally murdered. Her death has become not only a tragic symbol of this harmful decision but also a direct result and concrete example of the consequences of promoting and legalising fascist hatred.
In these challenging times for the LGBT community, there seems to be some hope in public acceptance. However, it is far from normal to expect acceptance only after someone’s death. In the face of the government’s relentless hate campaign, it should be clear to the public that LGBT people need their support and assistance now more than ever.
We emphasise that the adoption of the 'Russian law' and the development of anti-LGBT legislation will make it impossible for community organisations in the country, including WISG, to continue providing critical services to LGBT people. Until now, the state has neglected these programs, which have primarily been carried out by community organisations.
All ministries and state agencies with which WISG has collaborated in various capacities over the years, including training state officials on gender and sexuality issues, will be fully informed of the consequences of discontinuing these services. The enactment of an anti-LGBT law would be a clear declaration by the government that it has consciously chosen to sacrifice people's health and well-being, subjecting them to suffering and death.
The hypocritical statements made by several government members regarding the murder of Kesaria Abramidze are appalling. The public is well aware that this government, through its relentless incitement of hatred, support for violence, and the passing of fascist laws, has signed for the creation of this tragic reality.
WISG expresses complete solidarity and offers to continue providing services to LGBTQI people living in Georgia, until we are not prohibited by law!
We urge the public to recognize the true, malicious intent behind the anti-LGBT law and to see through the government's manipulation, which relies on fostering hatred to maintain power; and stand firmly by the side of dignity, justice and equality—values the government has stripped us from while cynically speaking of dignity in its undignified pre-election campaign. We believe that a regime built on hatred, violence, injustice, and oppression is not a choice for our society.
