Russia

Republic of Georgia Enacts Controversial LGBTQ+ Law

OCT 3 2024·Updated OCT 4 2024

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The Facts

The Republic of Georgia's parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday signed into law a controversial "family values" bill related to LGBTQ+ policies in the country.
ap
This comes a day after Pres. Salome Zourabichvili, a critic of the governing Georgian Dream party, refused to sign the bill, instead sending it back to parliament without vetoing it.
guardian
Reuters
The legislation, introduced by the ruling party and passed by parliament last month, bans gender transition, same-sex marriages, adoptions by non-heterosexual couples, and public depiction of LGBTQ+ relations and people in the media.
Al Jazeera
Newsweek
It defines marriage as a voluntary union of men and women for family creation and declares May 17 a day of family "sanctity" and "respect for parents."
1TV
The passage of this law follows the adoption of a so-called "foreign influence" law earlier this year, which requires media and nongovernmental organizations to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if these entities secure over 20% of their funding from overseas.
ap
Newsweek

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

The law protects traditional Georgian values and the rights of all citizens. It's based on common sense, historical experience, and centuries-old cultural norms. The legislation ensures that freedom of expression doesn't violate others' rights, which is the essence of true democracy.

European Conservative

Narrative B

This legislation further marginalizes an already vulnerable community and could lead to increased violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. It's a cynical attempt by the ruling party to shore up support among conservative voters ahead of the Oct. 26 parliamentary election at the expense of human rights.

OHCHR