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Georgia signs bill protecting family values, minors from LGBT and homosexual influences

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Georgia signs bill protecting family values, minors from LGBT and homosexual influences

Speaker of the Republic of Georgia’s parliament Shalva Papuashvili announced on Thursday that he signed into law a bill aimed at protecting family values and minors from LGBT and homosexual influences, according to local media.

The legislation stated that Georgia recognizes family values of the union of a man and a woman, which are strengthened by the constitutional agreement of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia and the State of Georgia. While the legislation said that there are foreign legislations that recognize and allow the marriage of same-sex individuals, it stated that these practices ignore the best interests of minors and would be incompatible with the Code of Children’s Rights and several other legal acts aimed at defending children. 

The law defined marriage as the union of one genetic man and woman and prohibited medical intervention in sex change operations. It also disallowed official documents from not stating the genetic sex of the identity holder and criminalized gatherings that aimed to promote homosexual marriage.

While the European Commission for Democracy through Law acknowledged that Georgia’s decision to limit marriage to a man and a woman was aligned with Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the commission said that there was no “justification for barring [] transsexuals from enjoying the right to marry under all circumstances.” The commission also noted that bans on sex change surgeries violate Article 8 of the ECHR, which allows for the right to respect for private and family life.

In September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced visa restrictions on 60 Georgians after the Georgian Legislature approved the bill. The 60 Georgians include senior government figures who Blinken said were “responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia.” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that the country may revise its ties with the US if the US imposes more sanctions on Georgian officials.

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Georgia president refuses to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill

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Georgia president refuses to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili refused to sign a highly controversial ‘Family Values and the Protection of Minors‘ bill on Wednesday passed by the country’s parliament to significantly curtail the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The bill, which passed with overwhelming parliamentary support, seeks to ban same-sex marriage, prohibit adoption by same-sex couples, restrict gender-affirming care, and limit public expressions of LGBTQ+ identity, including media portrayals and public Pride events. This reflects a broader conservative shift in Georgia’s political climate. Sponsored by the ruling Georgian Dream party, the bill is framed as protecting “traditional family values,” a slogan that has gained popularity among nationalist and pro-Russian factions within the country. The proposed restrictions closely resemble anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Russia, which has served as a model for conservative lawmakers in Georgia.

The controversial law conflicts with Georgia’s constitution which guarantees equality and non-discrimination under Article 14, and any law that specifically targets a minority group, such as the LGBTQ+ community, could face challenges in court. In addition, Georgia is a signatory to several international human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Under Article 14 of the ECHR, discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited, creating a legal conflict between the proposed domestic law and Georgia’s international commitments.

Critics of the bill contend that the instrument will contribute to the further marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community, possibly inciting violence against its members, who are already vulnerable in Georgia. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the bill will “increase discrimination and stigmatisation.”

If enacted, the bill could also have broader legal implications for Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU, which has made it clear that respect for human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights, is a prerequisite for membership. By passing legislation that contradicts these principles, Georgia risks stalling or even jeopardizing its path toward EU integration.

To oppose the controversial bill, President Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial, refused signature, opening up a legal debate about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia. Although Georgia’s constitution allows President Zourabichvili to send the bill back to parliament for reconsideration, it is expected that the legislative body will ultimately override her decision, given its strong majority in favor of the bill.

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