We, citizens of Georgia, through this manifesto, oppose the fascist anti-LGBT law falsely titled "On Family Values and the Protection of Minors," which came into force today, December 2, 2024.
This fascist law was unilaterally enacted by Bidzina Ivanishvili, an oligarch enriched in Russia and a trader of the country, through a complete simulation of public discussion. A law that normalizes hatred and evil has historical parallels only in fascist and authoritarian regimes.
The "Fascist Dream" has invested a huge amount of money in spreading hate and lies through its satellite TV channels. However, society is well aware that this law is copied straight from Putin's authoritarian playbook.
By criminalizing one group of the population - queer people - legalizing hatred, and enforcing censorship, the law aims to establish total control. Furthermore, it criminalizes anyone or anything opposing this legalized evil.
In a country where, over the past five years, nearly a million people have left for labor migration, where one in three children lives in extreme poverty, and where the education and healthcare systems have collapsed, the greedy oligarch based his entire electoral campaign on false promises of peace and artificially fueled hatred.
Thus, today, we, queer individuals and allies who sign this manifesto, appeal to the entire society, institutions, and organizations operating in the country - governmental, non-governmental, public, or private: Fascism is now legalized in Georgia; evil has been normalized. In the State where fascism is declared a norm, only two paths remain: obedience or disobedience.
Under fascism, the existence and coexistence of people, as well as the rights to life, freedom, thought, creativity, and activity, are at risk.
Therefore, we can only respond with collective, universal civil resistance to the fascist regime imposed by the oligarch, through complete disobedience to the fascist law and its repeated, deliberate violations!
We refuse to comply with this repressive law and regime!
We refuse to hide or remain silent!
And we call on others:
To all public institutions tasked with protecting and enforcing human rights: openly support and ensure the recognition of queer people as equal citizens!
To healthcare professionals: do not comply with the fascist demands of the law and continue to serve trans individuals!
Teach banned texts at universities!
Express solidarity in this challenging moment!
Inaction and silence mean complicity in the realization of the Fascist Dream!
Defy the fascist, anti-LGBT law and the authoritarian regime of the oligarch clinged on homophobia!
