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Russia labels ‘LGBTQ movement’ as ‘extremist’
Russia labels ‘LGBTQ movement’ as ‘extremist’
They would also ban “gatherings and demonstrations” promoting same-sex couples, and while the laws would not target his establishment directly, Tato is worried they could have broader consequences.
“It’s not only dangerous for the gay community, it is dangerous for the owners of gay bars,” he told AFP when asked about the government’s proposals first put forward in March.
“Queer places will stop existing, queer parties will be closed,” the 29-year-old warned.
“We are looking for a solution. We don’t want to work undercover.”
Londaridze said some of his friends were already planning to leave.
“Most of them are afraid. I know several people who have already bought tickets,” he said.
“In the end, in Georgia, there will not be openly queer people.”
Across the street, in the small office of LGBTQ rights group Tbilisi Pride, co-founder Mariam Kvaratskhelia listed off a string of awareness campaigns and drag events they’ve been able to stage in recent years.
In the end, in Georgia, there will not be openly queer people
“It was never easy. Georgia was never a very LGBTQ-friendly country unfortunately,” the 31-year-old said.
“But during the last two years, we have seen political homophobia really intensify.”
Last year, her group’s Tbilisi pride event in a park far from the city centre was mobbed by thousands of right-wing protesters, who completely destroyed the venue and forced its attendees to flee.
“The government did nothing to prevent the violence,” Kvaratskhelia said.
“I’m very sad to say this, but this year we are not planning Pride Week or any pride events.”
With the government’s proposed laws, the LGBTQ community now faces an “existential fight”, Kvaratskhelia said.
Lawmakers have said they will consider the new bills during the current parliamentary session, ahead of October elections where the opposition hopes to form a united front.
Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili said the sweeping package of 19 bills had the “absolute support of the country’s population” and would protect “family values”.
But opposition parties have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of pushing through the legislation in a bid to win over conservatives and distract the population from real issues.
The bills are likely to further deepen a rift between Georgia and the EU, which warned the Caucasus country last month it was straying from its path to joining the bloc with the new Russian-style legislation.
Kvaratskhelia, whose office and apartment building have already been vandalised, said she feared the measures will further alienate LGBTQ Georgians.
“I myself have thought a lot about going abroad and having a peaceful life,” she said.
But she vowed to stay as long as it was possible.
“We are going to have huge information campaigns in Tbilisi and in the regions to have victory in the coming parliamentary elections in October,” she said.
“We are very determined to keep the fight going.”