Georgia's LGBTI Community Faces Growing Challenges, Says ILGA-Europe Report
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, February 21, 2025
The 2024 annual report by ILGA-Europe reveals significant setbacks for LGBTI rights in Georgia, highlighting increasing threats to the community's safety, access to services, and freedom of expression.
Based on the report, the Georgian government's controversial foreign agents law has disrupted essential services for the LGBTI community, with none of the country's LGBTI organizations registering under the new law. As a result, these groups face potential fines and bankruptcy, raising concerns about the availability of vital support. The law has created a climate of fear, leading to a drop in individuals seeking help despite the growing need for services.
The report highlights a noticeable rise in LGBTI people fleeing the country, with many seeking asylum abroad to escape the hostile environment. Although no official statistics are available, reports suggest an increase in LGBTI migration, largely driven by the restrictive law. Many are relying on legal assistance to secure documentation needed for asylum applications in safer countries.
The report also draws attention to the rise in hate speech and misinformation targeting LGBTI people. One of the most alarming examples is a speech by Irakli Kobakhidze, a senior Georgian official, who compared liberal values to Bolshevism and accused them of threatening national survival by promoting "LGBT propaganda."
Violence against the LGBTI community has also intensified, with the report citing the tragic murder of trans activist Kesaria Abramidze and the physical assault of Nata Talikishvili. These attacks, which followed the introduction of anti-LGBTI laws, reflect the growing danger faced by activists and LGBTI individuals in the country.
Additionally, the report highlights the negative impact of the anti-LGBTI law on education. It severely restricts discussions of gender and sexuality in schools, leaving students in an unsafe and discriminatory learning environment. The Venice Commission, a key European body, condemned this provision, labeling it harmful to both LGBTI and non-LGBTI students.
In terms of legal recognition, the anti-LGBTI law further isolates the community by blocking access to adoption and gender marker changes. Unmarried couples, including same-sex couples, are prohibited from adopting or fostering children, while the law also limits the ability of LGBTI individuals to legally alter their gender markers.
Public health efforts, particularly in combatting HIV/AIDS, have been undermined by the law, which stigmatizes LGBTI people and restricts their access to healthcare services. Furthermore, freedom of expression and assembly have been severely curtailed, with the government cracking down on public protests and censoring media outlets that advocate for LGBTI rights.
The report also draws attention to the erosion of trust in Georgia's law enforcement, particularly following mass protests against alleged election fraud. Accounts of police brutality, including homophobic language used during arrests, have raised serious concerns about the safety and fairness of the justice system.
Overall, the 2024 ILGA-Europe report signals a growing crisis for the LGBTI community in Georgia, as new laws and increasing violence create an increasingly hostile environment. The report urges international bodies to hold the Georgian government accountable for these violations and work towards a safer, more inclusive future for all citizens.
