The brutal murder of transgender model and actor Kesaria Abramidze in her own apartment has sparked outrage and condemnation from human rights and LGBTQ+ groups in the South Caucasus nation. Her death occurred just a day after the Georgian government passed a strict measure that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights. Activists are concerned that the new legislation, which mirrors laws in Russia, could incite hate crimes and violence against the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
The legislation, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party, includes bans on same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples, and the endorsement and depiction of same-sex relationships in the media. It also prohibits gender-affirming treatments and changing gender designations on official documents. These measures have been criticized by human rights groups for targeting transgender individuals and perpetuating negative stereotypes. LGBTQ+ groups fear that the new law will lead to an increase in hate crimes against the community.
Critics of the legislation, including the European Commission, have raised concerns about the impact on fundamental rights, discrimination, and stigmatization. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, stated that the law would undermine the rights of the people and increase discrimination. In response to these criticisms, Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, defended the legislation by emphasizing the importance of traditional Christian values and transparency. Experts believe that the measure is a political tactic to garner support for the ruling party ahead of parliamentary elections.
The Georgian government’s recent crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights is not an isolated incident. In June, the ruling party introduced a controversial “foreign influence law” that requires media and non-governmental organizations to register with authorities if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. This law, which mirrors Kremlin policies in Russia, has faced backlash and criticism for stifling dissent and democracy in the country. The European Union suspended Georgia’s accession process and froze financial support in response to this legislation.
Some experts believe that Georgia’s adoption of laws similar to Russia’s is an attempt to divert attention from real issues within the country and create scapegoats within society. By targeting the LGBTQ+ community and using rhetoric around protecting traditional family values, the government may be trying to rally conservative support ahead of elections. However, these measures have sparked protests and backlash from human rights groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, and the European Union, raising concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights and democracy in Georgia.
