Georgia's anti-LGBT+ laws raise tensions with EU, USA

Recently, the Georgian parliament adopted the so-called foreign agents law, modelled after a similar Russian law. Now, more controversies are emerging. This time, the authorities have targeted the LGBT+ community. Despite opposition from a significant portion of the population and representatives of the European Union and the United States, the state authorities maintain their stance. How will the new law affect queer individuals residing in Georgia?

The latest law introduced in Georgia has outraged the European Union and the United States authorities. Representatives of the EU and USA have decided to take action. The rules affected non-governmental organizations and independent media, prompting the EU to plan to halt talks with Georgia about joining the Union. The United States has announced sanctions on Georgian politicians and a review of further cooperation between Washington and Tbilisi.

The Georgian parliament did not concern itself with the announced consequences. It is considering another controversial law. This document closely resembles the restrictions introduced in Russia. It will affect the LGBT+ community or, as parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili said, "LGBT+ propaganda."

The new law will include a ban on same-sex marriage, adoption by homosexual couples, gender reassignment, and "medical manipulation for the purpose of gender reassignment." Therefore, hormone therapy or surgeries to correct gender will become illegal in the country.

Additionally, rainbow flags and other symbols associated with the queer community will have to disappear from Georgian streets. There will be censorship in television, theatres, and cinemas - a complete ban on showing homosexual relationships. Sexual education will also be illegal, and schools will not be allowed to provide students with information "promotes belonging to the opposite sex, same-sex relations or incest."