Briefing: Georgia’s new anti-LGBTI legislation: a step backwards for human rights and equality

On 3 October, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed legislation that radically violates the rights of LGBTI people in the country and copies various legislation passed in neighbouring Russia.

The discriminatory legislative package titled “On Family Values and Protection of Minors,” comprises a new law and 18 amendments restricts the rights of LGBTI people, particularly targeting trans people. This package undermines rights to equality, healthcare, education, freedom of expression, and assembly while imposing severe restrictions on marriage, adoption, and access to trans-specific healthcare. 

We have created a briefing on the new Georgian laws, which you can download to understand the implications of the legislation and how to support affected communities in Georgia.

What’s in the briefing

This briefing provides an overview of the new laws, a timeline of key data, details of how the laws violate human rights including, legal gender recognition, access to healthcare, education, freedom of expression and assembly, marriage, adoption, and employment rights. The briefing highlights the tragic murder of trans activist Kesaria Abramidze, which underscores the increasing violence against trans people in Georgia.

What’s next?

We urge stakeholders to reject these anti-rights laws, continue publicly opposing discriminatory laws and highlight the violence they may incite, mobilise for elections to support human rights and resist Russian influence, and fund trans-specific healthcare services and local initiatives to support affected individuals and advocate against the law.

More info

Georgia’s new anti-LGBTI laws threaten fundamental rights and freedoms