Rising Hostility Towards LGBTQ+ Community in Georgia Amid New Repressive Legislation

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The LGBTQ+ community in Georgia is facing increased threats following the assassination of prominent transgender figure Kesaria Abramidze in September 2025. Abramidze was killed in a violent act linked to her ex-partner, raising grave concerns about safety within the community. Activists argue that police indifference to Abramidze's previous reports of violence highlights a broader climate of hostility.

Just a day before Abramidze's murder, the Georgian Parliament passed a controversial "Family Values and Protection of Minors" law that prohibits any public expression deemed LGBTQ+ "propaganda." This legislative change has intensified fears among LGBTQ+ individuals, prompting many to seek refuge abroad as the ruling party, Georgian Dream, shifts toward more conservative policies reminiscent of those in Russia and Hungary.

Mariami Kvaratskhelia, co-founder of Tbilisi Pride, noted a significant regression in protections for LGBTQ+ rights, indicating that the current government has increased its focus on traditional family values while suppressing recognition of diversity. Kvaratskhelia warns that the new laws not only outlaw gender-affirming medical procedures but also threaten organizations providing critical support, potentially forcing LGBTQ+ individuals back into invisibility.

Despite a once-thriving civil society advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, recent years have seen a mass exodus of activists, with many fleeing to countries like Belgium and the United States due to rising fears for their safety. The situation continues to deteriorate as the government embraces anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with the international community now calling for urgent protections for human rights in Georgia.

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