Georgian Parliament Passes LGBTQI+ Ban

The Georgian Parliament has passed a bill banning the LGBTQI+ rights in its final reading. The bill was approved by 84 deputies, with opposition members abstaining from the vote.

Initiated by the ruling party “Georgian Dream,” the bill prohibits the LGBTQI+ rights, same-sex marriages, gender transitions, and activities promoting same-sex relationships. It also restricts access to medical gender interventions, bans the broadcast of intimate scenes of same-sex relationships on television, and prohibits public gatherings and films with homosexual content for individuals under 18.

The law will take effect immediately after being signed by the president and published in the “Legislative Herald.”

Similar measures have been adopted in Russia. On November 30, 2023, the Russian Supreme Court declared the “International LGBTQ Community” an extremist organization and banned its activities. This decision supported the Ministry of Justice’s lawsuit filed on November 17. Participation in extremist groups can result in up to 6 years in prison, while organizing such groups can lead to up to 10 years.

Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has tightened its laws against the LGBTQI+ rights, introducing bans on “LGBTQ propaganda” and transgender transitions. The court proceedings regarding the ban on LGBTQ symbols and activities were held in a closed session.