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Georgian Parliament Advances Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation That Would Ban Pride Events

HeadlineJul 01, 2024

Millions of people took to the streets of cities across the globe over the weekend to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride events. In Bogotá, Colombia, thousands of Pride participants marched against so-called “conversion therapy” which aims to change a person’s sexuality through interventions. A bill under consideration in Colombia’s Legislature would ban the practice, which has been described by a U.N. expert on sexual orientation as “torture.”

In the Republic of Georgia, lawmakers have granted initial approval to several bills cracking down on LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on the so-called propaganda of same-sex relationships, gender reassignment surgery and even the display of rainbow flags. The bills mirror anti-LGBTQ legislation passed by Russia. This is Tamar Jakeli, director of Tblisi Pride in Georgia’s capital city.

Tamar Jakeli: “Pride march or Pride events could no longer be held legally. So, even though in the past, practically, we had difficulties holding these, now it’s going to be illegal. And basically, if I want to hold a Pride march or any demonstration, in fact, about LGBT rights, at first I will get fined, and then I might even face charges, like to go to prison.”

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