19 anti-LGBTI+ bills proposed in Georgia

The ruling Georgian Dream party today initiates a package of legislative changes against the LGBTI+ community - as many as 19 bills.

Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, today, June 4, launched an initiative to introduce a broad package of legislative changes aimed against the LGBTI+ community. The new legislative package, consisting of 19 laws, reflects provisions similar to Russian anti-LGBTI+ laws, the adoption of which in Georgia will significantly complicate the life of representatives of the queer community, Tbilisi life reports.

Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili noted that the new package of laws “On family values and the protection of minors” will regulate eight key issues related to marriage, adoption, trans transition procedures, as well as a ban on LGBTI+ content in education and the media. In particular, it is planned to ban meetings and demonstrations aimed at “popularizing same-sex marriage or incest.”

In addition, new laws will concern labour relations in private and public institutions, providing for the mandatory indication of biological sex in employment contracts. There will also be a ban on transition surgery and “other medical procedures,” including hormone therapy.

According to the explanation of the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, intimate LGBTI+ scenes will also have to be cut out in cinemas and television programs, which, in his opinion, is “common practice.”