The Facts
Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday approved the third and final reading of the bill entitled "On Family Values and Protection of Minors" — which consists of 18 amendments to existing laws — by a vote of 84-0.
The legislation outlaws same-sex marriages, legalizes censorship, bans gender-affirming care, and prohibits LGBTQ+ events, public displays of rainbow flags, and the adoption of children by non-heterosexual couples.
The Spin
This law is yet another Kremlin-style repressive initiative aimed at imposing discriminatory restrictions on Georgia's LGBTQ+ community. By modeling legislation on its autocratic eastern neighbor's anti-West rhetoric, the government is backsliding on human rights. It's a shame that the Georgian Dream party is exploiting anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes to boost conservative support before the elections instead of building an equal and accepting society.
This law isn't making Georgia "more Russian." The country's constitution bans same-sex marriage. The government is just following the same premises and introducing initiatives necessary to combat LGBTQ+ propaganda, safeguard traditional moral standards, protect minors from detrimental influences, and strengthen family values. The government can't prioritize EU membership over Georgia's best interests — it can't allow external forces to morally degrade its society.
The opposition boycotting Tuesday's vote underscores Georgia's dramatically polarized political landscape. Even if Georgian Dream were to lose power in October, the bill wouldn't have rolled back simply because the country isn't overtly supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. The only way to ensure LGBTQ+ rights in a region beset by state and religious homophobia is for the community to go in great numbers to the elections and vote for change. The Georgians must challenge and reshape the laws based on prejudice.
