Georgia passes Russian-style anti-LGBTQ+ law ahead of crucial election

In the run-up to the 26 October elections, the government of Georgia took yet another step further away from Brussels, adopting a draft law on "Family Values and Protection of Minors" that explicitly discriminates against LGBTQ+ people.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said that a legislative change was needed as a countermeasure to LGBTQ+ "propaganda".

"In two or three generations it can have such harmful consequences," he said, insisting that same-sex marriage can not be allowed and that if it were, the impact on Georgian society could be of a magnitude "that no conqueror has been able to achieve for centuries".

At a plenary session, the controversial law passed without objections, with 84 in favour and zero against.

Opposition parties were not present, as many have been boycotting the parliament ever since the adoption of the infamous "foreign agents" law earlier this year.

The anti-LGBTQ+ bill consists of about a dozen articles addressing marriage, adoption, and medical procedures, as well as dissemination of information, gatherings, and demonstrations in a further crackdown on the right to gather, according to activists.

Furthermore, the government has designated 17 May — the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia — as the day of "Purity of the Family and Respect for Parents".

The opposition remains divided on the new legislation, and has been cautious not to alienate socially conservative voters. Some of its opponents are not explicitly decrying the legislation as "undemocratic" and instead are criticising it as "untimely".

The bill has been strongly criticised by many in Georgia's civil society.

Human rights defenders argue that the government is trying to