The Georgian government wants to make queer people second-class citizens, which would mean the end of its membership in the EU. Only young people can save the country.
An anti-LGBTQ+ law becomes a nightmare in Georgia Photo: David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters
Georgia's political leaders are playing with fire. Under the title “Family values and protection of minors”, the ruling Georgian Dream (KO) party wants to introduce an anti-LGBTQ+ law in parliament, the drafting of which was apparently inspired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
No more rallies to promote queer rights, bans on sex reassignment surgeries and adoptions by same-sex couples – the whole program. If this law goes into effect, members of sexual minorities would finally be relegated to second-class status.
Why the KO is just around the corner with this crazy plan is now obvious: parliamentary elections will be held in the fall. The party need not worry about its majority given the desolate state of the opposition. However, the government believes it has to curry favor with extremely conservative circles and offer something.
However, this transparent maneuver could be costly. Above all, Brussels is likely to feel cheated. The South Caucasus republic has been a candidate for EU membership since last December, although the requirements for this were not met. A condition for continuing the process is the adoption of laws protecting individual rights that meet EU standards. However, Russia's light variant of the planned LGBTQ+ crackdown is the opposite of this and a provocation that the EU cannot pass up.
But it is not only the EU that is turning the government against it, but also parts of civil society, especially young people and everyone who looks towards Europe. Last year, the government came up with the bright idea of shutting down NGOs with a “foreign agents” law. After massive protests, the rules disappeared back into the drawer. Perhaps tens of thousands will soon turn out again in front of parliament in Tbilisi. The chances of this happening are good.