Organisers of Tbilisi Pride were confronted with violence by counter-protestors and forced to cancel the march. Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili had accused the 'radical opposition' of planning the Pride march in order to sow 'unrest' (Photo: Tbilisi Pride)

Who are right-wing forces that attacked Georgia's LGBTIQ+ ?

Rule of Law

Opinion

by Gillian Kane and Mariam Kvaratskhelia, New York/Tbilisi,

As citizens around the world mark the closing of gay pride month with celebratory marches and parades, in Tbilisi, Georgia, organisers and activists are fighting for their basic right to assemble.

In this former Soviet Republic in the Caucasus, LGBTIQ+ rights have long been a litmus test for democracy and tolerance.

On 5 July, Georgia failed that test when organisers of Tbilisi Pride were confronted with violence by counter-protestors and

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Rule of Law Opinion

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s, not those of EUobserver

Author Bio

Gillian Kane is the senior technical manager for policy & advocacy at Ipas, an international women's reproductive health and rights organisation. Mariam Kvaratskhelia is a co-founder of Tbilisi Pride and LGBTQ+ activist.