Interior ministry to ensure public safety, freedom of expression on int's day against homophobia
May 17 marks the day when 31 years ago the World Health Organisation recognised that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. Photo: coe.int
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Police will ensure public order, safety and freedom of expression during the events marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in Tbilisi between May 15-20, the Interior Ministry says.
The ministry however notes that the freedom of expression ‘should not exceed the limits allowed by the law’.
Any other action, which may endanger the safety of citizens and their health, will be adequately responded to by the police”, the ministry announced yesterday.
Statement of MIA regarding the events planned in Tbilisi within the frames of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.https://t.co/EyDoGV1y3c
— MIA of Georgia (@MIAofGeorgia) May 14, 2021
May 17 not only marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) in Georgia, but the Family Purity Day that the Georgian Orthodox Church launched in 2014.
The church announced plans to celebrate the day after the bloody attack on LGBT supporters and their opposers in 2013 on May 17.
On International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the diplomatic corps and international organisations express support for and solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community in Georgia.
The police have arrested one man for a hate crime related to the sexual orientation of two individuals.
Turmoil around the first Tbilisi Pride - a week-long event dedicated to the rights of LGBT individuals - continues as organisers decided yesterday to hold the events despite threats coming from nationalist groups. the organisers said earlier today that LGBT march will not be held on the central streets of Tbilisi.
According to CoE Georgia has been rated by ILGA-Europe as the 33rd out of 49 European countries in terms of rights protection accorded to LGBTI persons.
What’s May 17 like in Tbilisi?
Police have been on high alert since early morning today as May 17 features two events in Tbilisi: the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) and the Family Purity Day that the Georgian Orthodox Church launched in 2014 to coincide with IDAHOT.
The head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze says that the organisers of Tbilisi Pride should not have planned the events 'considering the current situation in the country and the context.’
Protecting participants of events of the upcoming Tbilisi Pride is a direct responsibility of the government, a statement from Droa! political movement said on Friday, with the organisation calling comments by Georgian Dream party head Irakli Kobakhidze about the planned occasion "dangerous".
A new survey under the United Nations Joint Programme for Gender Equality has revealed a decreasing tendency of negative attitudes toward the LGBTQI community in Georgia, while still pointing out a “significant challenge” in the protection of the rights of queer people.