by The Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, signed a controversial bill on Thursday that restricts LGBTQ rights, despite opposition from the country’s president and warnings from the European Union. The law is similar to Russia’s “gay propaganda” legislation, banning gender reassignment and invalidating same-sex marriages performed abroad or in Georgia.
President Salome Zurabishvili, who opposes the ruling Georgian Dream party, refused to sign the bill, but Papuashvili invoked constitutional authority to enact it. He described the law as based on Georgia’s historical and Christian values, claiming it protects citizens’ rights. However, human rights groups and Western nations argue the law is discriminatory and endangers the LGBTQ community.
The legislation has heightened tensions ahead of Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26. It follows the passage of a controversial “foreign influence” law that sparked mass protests, with critics accusing the Georgian Dream party of aligning with Russia and risking Georgia’s EU membership bid.
The law’s passage coincides with rising violence against LGBTQ individuals in Georgia, including the recent murder of a prominent transgender woman. Rights advocates fear the new law will exacerbate anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the country.
