The violent attack on Nata Talikishvili, a transgender woman, activist, and WISG community officer, on the night of October 20, 2024, in Tbilisi, is a deeply troubling event that highlights the growing wave of transphobic and homophobic hatred in Georgia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the attacker has been arrested, and Nata Talikishvili was hospitalised with a concussion.
This attack is not an isolated incident. It occurs amid an election campaign fueled by the active spread of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric by the ruling party and the recent passing of anti-LGBT legislation.
On October 20, regarding the "Georgia Chooses the European Union" march organised by a coalition of non-governmental organisations, government-controlled media spread the narrative that it was co-organized by opposition parties and "LGBT Pride." They referred to it as the "Pride of the Radical Opposition" and circulated photos of trans women, including Nata Talikishvili and others, on social media with the caption: "Transgender women attend the opposition march."
This is part of the government's pre-election campaign, which seeks to label LGBT individuals as part of the "radical opposition" and "enemies of the country," while framing political opponents as aligned with "LGBT Pride." The goal behind this narrative is to stir up homophobic sentiments in society, turning them into hatred directed at critics and opponents of the ruling party, Georgian Dream.
The rise of political homophobia, which we have witnessed throughout this year, reached a peak with the adoption of the fascist anti-LGBT law by Georgian Dream. This law has already fueled violence against LGBT individuals. The brutal murder of transgender woman Kesaria Abramidze, just two days after the law was passed, became a tragic symbol of this escalating violence. As a result, many members of the LGBT community have already fled the country or are considering leaving.
The attack on Nata Talikishvili further demonstrates that the rights and safety of trans people in Georgia remain under constant threat. This violent act is a severe violation of fundamental human rights and goes against the core principles of a democratic society.
As the elections approach, the ruling party and its media are increasing their use of homophobic and transphobic narratives. This shows how the government is trying to hold onto power using authoritarian, anti-democratic tactics: spreading hate, intimidation, and moral panic.
WISG strongly condemns the hate-motivated attack on Nata Talikishvili. This crime is not just an attack on one person, but on the entire community.
Using LGBT people as political tools and labelling them as "enemies of the country" is a dangerous, fascist tactic. It puts the lives and safety of LGBT people at risk and undermines the idea of an equal and democratic society.
We believe that the government's fascist narratives, laws, and actions are unacceptable to most Georgian people. The government will not succeed in controlling society through violence and fear!
