Georgia's parliament has passed a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law, drawing comparisons to similar legislation in Russia.
The bill, signed into law by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday, has been criticized by human rights activists and further deepens tensions in the South Caucasus nation as it prepares for an election.
It will include bans on same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and public depictions or endorsements of LGBTQ+ individuals in the media.
With regards to transgender people, those experiencing gender dysphoria will be prohibited from gender-affirming care and changing gender designations on official documents.
Despite opposition from Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who refused to sign the bill, the ruling Georgian Dream party pushed the legislation through, framing it as a defense of national values ahead of a parliamentary election.
Her veto was overridden by the parliament, where she governs as an independent.
Papuashvili defended the move, stating it is based on "common sense, historical experience, and centuries-old Christian, Georgian, and European values."
Critics have condemned the bill as an attempt to marginalize an already vulnerable community.
Particular phrasing of the policy places homosexual relationships at the same level of objectionable as incest, and media containing "nontraditional" relationships will be restricted to those older than 18.
Tbilisi Pride's director Tamara Jakeli said the law could force their organization to shut down.
Ana Tavadze, an activist with the group, said the government is using "political and institutional homophobia" to distract voters from issues like unemployment and health care.
She argued that the law is part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to "fabricate" social conflicts ahead of the upcoming elections to deflect from "their failure" to enact real change.
The legislation has drawn immediate comparisons to Russia, which has passed a series of laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights over the last decade.
Russia has implemented measures banning the public promotion of "nontraditional sexual relations" and outlawed LGBTQ+ activism by labeling the movement as extremist.
The Kremlin frequently promotes traditional family values as part of its domestic agenda.
Georgia, a country where the Orthodox Church holds significant influence, has long struggled with LGBTQ+ issues. Violent protests and outbursts against LGBTQ+ events have been common.
In 2021, hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators stormed a Pride festival in the capital, forcing the event to be canceled. This year, tens of thousands marched in Tbilisi to promote "traditional family values" in opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
Papuashvili, the parliament speaker, said that by not signing the bill, the President and the Georgian opposition "did not have enough courage to openly express their opinion regarding this law."
The law's passage comes amid broader political concerns for the country.
The country applied to join the European Union in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but its pro-EU aspirations have been questioned due to moves that align with Russia, such as the passage of a foreign influence law earlier this year, which critics say mirrors Russian legislation used to suppress dissent.
Fears of a culture of anti-LGBTQ+ violence were cemented when transgender actor Kesaria Avramidze was murdered on Sept. 18—the day after the bill was passed.
Advocacy groups worry that the new legislation will only encourage more attacks.
As Georgia approaches its Oct. 26 parliamentary election, both the ruling party and opposition are navigating a balance: addressing voter demands for traditional values, to the detriment of their broader geopolitical aspirations of EU membership.
President Zourabichvili continues to criticize the ruling party, but with Georgian Dream's dominance in parliament, her ability to block controversial laws remains limited.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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