In a significant development for LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia, President Salome Zourabichvili has refused to sign the contentious ‘Family Values and the Protection of Minors’ bill. The legislation, recently passed by the Georgian parliament, aims to impose severe restrictions on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The bill’s provisions include a ban on same-sex marriage, prohibition of adoption by same-sex couples, constraints on gender-affirming care, and limitations on public expressions of LGBTQ+ identity, such as media portrayals and Pride events. These measures are part of a growing conservative movement in Georgia, supported by nationalist and pro-Russian factions, which draws parallels to Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
This legislative initiative stands in opposition to Georgia’s constitution, which pledges equality and non-discrimination under Article 14. Furthermore, as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the country committed to prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, raising questions about the compatibility of the bill with Georgia’s international responsibilities.
Critics argue that the bill could deepen the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community and potentially incite violence against them. High-ranking EU officials, such as Josep Borrell, have expressed concerns, with Borrell stating the legislation may “increase discrimination and stigmatisation.”
President Zourabichvili’s decision to withhold her signature introduces a legal debate on the future of LGBTQ+ rights in the nation. While her role is largely ceremonial, the Georgian parliament may override her veto due to its robust support for the bill.
The move could have broader implications for Georgia’s ambitions to join the European Union. The EU has consistently emphasized that respect for human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights, is a prerequisite for membership. Consequently, this legislation could endanger Georgia’s EU integration prospects.
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