Law restricting rights of LGBT+ people in Georgia passed by parliament

A very conservative turn. The Georgian Parliament adopted, on Tuesday, September 17, a homophobic law on “family values”denounced by the European Union and human rights organizations as restricting the rights of the LGBT+ community. The legislation, similar to what exists in Russia, was approved by lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

In total, 84 MPs voted for and 0 against, according to an official count. The banned text “propaganda of homosexual relations and incest” in educational institutions and television broadcasts, and bans “gatherings and demonstrations” promoting homosexual relationships.

The European Union had estimated at the beginning of September that it “violated the fundamental rights of Georgians and risked reinforcing the stigmatization and discrimination of a part of the population”The adoption of the text by Parliament could fuel tensions in the country ahead of crucial legislative elections scheduled for October 26.