Georgian parliament passes controversial law on LGBT rights

The Georgian Parliament passed a law criticized by the West that prohibits "LGBT propaganda." The document affects the entire Georgian LGBT community, including people undergoing transition and the doctors who assist in this process.

The rights of LGBT people around the world resemble an endless parabola. On one hand, Malta allows same-sex couples to adopt children and enables the legalization of same-sex marriages. On the other hand, there are countries where being gay can result in the death penalty. Although human rights activists and the LGBT community are doing everything they can to change the legal situation, many countries, particularly Muslim ones, try to impose on their citizens whom they can love and what they should believe. For this purpose, a series of state documents are being adopted to constitute the law.

The eyes of European activists have been focused on Georgia for some time. This is due to the actions of the political party Georgian Dream, which is gradually making the country resemble Russia. On September 17, 2024, at 5:00 AM Eastern Time, the Georgian Parliament passed a law prohibiting "LGBT propaganda." This document is strikingly similar to a similar regulation in Russia. According to the law, same-sex marriages, adoption of children by such couples, and transgender individuals are banned. The law also prohibits gender correction surgeries and imposes prison sentences on doctors who assist in the surgical transition process. The document also bans the dissemination of information popularizing LGBT in the media and educational institutions and organizing events supporting LGBT individuals, such as Pride Parades.

The law prohibiting "LGBT propaganda" was voted in by 84 members of Parliament. None of the eligible voters opposed it. The opposition party, in a form of protest, did not participate in the vote. The future of the document depends on Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has announced a veto of the law. However, the Georgian Dream Party has enough members to overturn the veto.