Georgian parliament adopts bill curbing LGBTQ rights

ISTANBUL

Georgia’s parliament on Tuesday adopted a bill on curbing LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

At a plenary session in the capital Tbilisi, lawmakers voted in support of the bill, Protection of Family Values and Minors, in its third and final reading with 84 votes in favor and none against.

The bill, submitted to parliament in June, is set to give a legal basis for the ban on issues including LGBTQ+ gatherings, same-sex marriage and gender reassignment surgery.

The legislation will also ban the public display of the LGBTQ+ flag, and introduce censorship in the media.

The majority of the opposition did not attend the session over its boycott of parliamentary work following the adoption of the controversial Transparency of Foreign Influence law, which has been criticized by the US and European countries.

The bill must be signed by President Salome Zourabichvili to enter into law, who has said will veto it.

The ruling Georgian Dream party, however, can override the veto, after which the parliament speaker can legally sign the bill.

The bill’s adoption comes as the Georgian Dream party will seek a fourth term in office in the parliamentary election on Oct. 26.