Georgia anti-LGBTQ+ bill passes first parliamentary reading

An anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed its first reading in Georgian parliament on Thursday despite “concerns across the international community.” While the bill aims to protect “family values and minors,” it has received criticism for its incompatibility with human rights and impact on LGBTQ+ citizens.

Introduced earlier this year by the Georgian Dream party, the bill was passed unanimously following its first reading in parliament, with 78 votes in favor. Though intended to upkeep family values, the bill’s content would heavily impact LGBTQ+ human rights. Transgender individuals are particularly targeted, as the bill bans “any medical intervention aimed at changing sex” and requires any state documents to indicate male or female “in compliance with genetic data,” preventing transgender people from stating their preferred gender. Furthermore, the bill bans gatherings and materials that would promote “changing sex by medical intervention,” or that would promote same-sex families and same-sex intimate relationships. This includes any materials that would ban the promotion of adoption or fostering of children by same-sex couples, which is also prohibited under this bill.

Prior to being passed in its first reading, the Venice Commission critiqued and analyzed the legislation’s compliance with international human rights standards. They concluded that most of the bill’s provisions breached human rights, specifically the right to private life, the right to be protected against discrimination, the right to freedom of information, and the right to freedom of assembly. They acknowledged that while “certain sections of the Georgian population may have a negative attitude towards LGBTI people,” this did not justify the legislation’s incompatibility with human rights. The Commission suggested the authorities “reconsider this legislative proposal entirely and . . . not proceed with its adoption.”

Although the bill has received criticism, the spring legislative session in Georgia will end this week. Therefore, this bill will likely resume its legislative process in September.