Georgia Right-Wing Speaker Signs anti-LGBTQ Bill into Law

TBILISI, GEORGIA — (10-04-24) — Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to sign her right wing parliament’s bill that bans LGBT Rights. In response, the Georgian Parliament’s Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, signed the bill into law on October 3, curbing LGBT Rights and snubbing President Zurabishvili after she refused to sign the blatant homophobic bill.

As he Papuashvili signed the bill, he took a swipe at both Zurabishvili and the opposition for refusing to back it.

“It is symbolic that the leader of the devalued opposition who has become a popular president refuses to sign the law that protects what’s most valuable for a person — family and children,” said Papuashvili.

In accordance with the Georgian Constitution, president Zurabishvili returned the anti-LGBTQ bill to parliament without written comments. Her office confirmed this action to JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics News on October 2nd.

The bill titled “On Family Values and Protection of Minors,” proposes changes to 18 laws, including those on free speech and expression. It also bans gatherings that advocate gender identity beyond “biological sex” and/or support of same-sex relationships.

The bill bans “LGBT propaganda,” same-sex marriage and adoption, and gender-affirming treatments. Media outlets are also barred from airing content “promoting LGBT relationships”.

Note that the term “LGBT propaganda” was first launched by Russia when they moved to ban LGBT advocates last year.

LGBT advocacy groups and the country’s opposition parties have heavily criticized the legislation, accusing Georgia right-wing politicians of using the “Family Values” bill to gaslight fear and rally support among its conservative base ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on October 26.

According to The European Union bloc’s High Representative Josep Borrell, the bill has put the nail in the coffin of Georgia’s hopes of joining the EU.