_Cropped_1726476442.jpg)
Murder of trans celebrity shocks Georgian LGBTQ community
2 hours ago
Georgia’s parliament has passed at third reading a legislative package introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party that bans “LGBT propaganda,” same-sex marriage and adoption, and gender-affirming treatments.
The controversial package, adopted with 84 votes in favor and none against, includes a primary law and 18 related measures affecting various areas such as healthcare, education, and media.
Among the changes is a prohibition on public gatherings or demonstrations "promoting non-traditional sexual orientations". Media outlets are also barred from airing content "promoting LGBTQ relationships".
Civil society groups and opposition parties have heavily criticized the legislation, accusing Georgian Dream of using the bill to stoke fear and rally support ahead of parliamentary elections on 26 October.
Critics argue that the bill goes far beyond what the ruling party claims is necessary to protect children and family values. They say it establishes legal grounds for broader restrictions on fundamental freedoms and targets LGBTQ people for political gain.
Human rights advocates have also warned that this law could serve as a precedent for future repression against other groups.
The EU’s chief foreign affairs spokesperson, Peter Stano, expressed deep concern about the bill’s rushed process, stating that it undermines the rights of Georgian citizens and could worsen the discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals. The EU further highlighted that the legislation risks Georgia’s EU integration prospects.
More than 30 civil society organizations have urged President Salome Zourabichvili to veto the bill. They warn that this law legalizes hate and censorship, and that it could pave the way for further governmental overreach.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani has also been called upon to take the legislation to court.
The package is part of a broader effort by the government to tighten its control over public discourse, and its impact could be far-reaching, particularly in the education system, where LGBTQ topics will now be strictly censored.
Related Content
News
Murder of trans celebrity shocks Georgian LGBTQ community
Killing comes just a day after Georgia passed a controversial anti-LGBTQ law.
Czechia chooses UK's Rolls Royce to develop small modular reactors
State-owned power group CEZ plans to build up to 10 SMRs with a combined output of three gigawatts by 2050.
A tearful Wildberries CEO Tatiana Bakalchuk appeals to husband, as Russian press ignores deadly corporate shoot out in central Moscow
Russia’s richest women and founder and owner of the most successful e-commerce firm Wildberries Tatiana Bakalchuk released a tearful video on September 18 after two people were killed in a shootout at the company's office.
Slovak cabinet unveils €2.7bn in cost-cutting measures
Package is designed to cut the budget deficit to under 5% of GDP in 2025 from 5.9% this year.
B9 Nato countries call for integrated air defence system to address Russian threat
CEE Nato members say alliance must respond to Russian drones' violations of their airspace during attacks against Ukraine.
Most Read
-
Former Lithuanian premier Andrius Kubilius appointed first EU defence commissioner
1 day ago
-
Eastern EU members secure key portfolios in new European Commission
1 day ago
-
COMMENT: For Kazakhstan, World Nomad Games were a geopolitical foot-in-the-door
18 hours ago
-
COMMENT: Look beyond the Ukraine war and CEE's fundamentals couldn’t be stronger
20 hours ago
-
Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel for deadly pager attacks
1 day ago
-
French graffiti artist jailed for three years for defacing Baku metro
8 days ago
-
Central Asia is a big winner from the Ukraine war
7 days ago
-
Hungary acted as front for China in extending €500mn loan to North Macedonia
6 days ago
-
Jihadists “in full swing” preparing “new September 11”, warns Afghanistan expert
5 days ago
-
Russia mulls uranium export ban to US as latter considers Ukraine missile use permission
4 days ago
-
Possible record heat index of 82.2°C reported in southern Iran
20 days ago
-
Russia’s new war middle class
27 days ago
-
Have lab-grown diamonds changed the diamond industry forever?
22 days ago
-
Russia overtakes Japan to become the fourth largest economy in the world in PPP terms
3 months ago
-
BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
5 months ago