Tbilisi Pride organisers say event will go ahead
Tbilisi Pride organisers say that they will force the current Georgian government to protect human rights.Photo: Tbilisi Pride.
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Tbilisi Pride will be held despite threats of disruption, event organisers said in a statement released earlier today amid public tension.
Despite existing risks, Tbilisi Pride will be held for the first time in the history of Georgia. The LGBT community, their supporters, family members, friends, international organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, citizens of European and neighboring countries will take part in the march [the final event of pride week],” the statement reads.
They say that “informal groups” pose threats to the LGBT events and the state is unable to ensure the rights of supporters and participants of Tbilisi Pride.
A rally opposing LGBT events on June 14. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
We will take to the streets to force the state to protect human rights. Not only the LGBT community, but Georgian statehood and democracy in the country face threats [as human rights are not protected],” reads the statement.
Event organisers have urged everyone, no matter their sexual orientation, to join the events.
An anti-LGBT movement headed by businessman Levan Vasadze stated earlier today that patrol groups will not be formed to disrupt LGBT events.
However, he said that they will take other actions if LGBT events are held anyway.
Tbilisi Pride was scheduled to begin today. However, after rallies, organisers stated that they were in need of consultations whether or not to hold it.
- Read more about Tbilisi Pride and related rallies here.
Businessman Levan Vasadze, who had earlier called for anti-LGBT activists to form ‘patrols’ to prevent events for Tbilisi Pride, says no such groups will be formed for now. The decision came after the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs earlier yesterday.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that human rights in Georgia, including those of sexual minorities, are protected and the issue has been “artificially exacerbated.”
28 people were detained for resisting police officers and other petty hooliganism during last night’s demonstration against Tbilisi Pride in front of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia. The Georgian Interior Ministry reported today that the detainees tried to break the police corton and threw eggs at the peaceful demonstrators supporting LGBT rights.
LGBT activists left the territory of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia on mini buses provided by the Interior Ministry after the six-hour peaceful demonstration on Friday. The activists demanded protection of their rights during the Tbilisi Pride, which is set to be held in Tbilisi between June 18-23 to raise the awareness about sexual minorities.
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.
The Georgian March civil movement, known for its anti-LGBT rallies, has created a political party called Georgian March - National Movement earlier today.
The recent report in the Council of Europe has denounced a ‘backsliding’ observed in CoE member states for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, including in Georgia.
Ultranationalist businessman Levan Vasadze, who has actively participated in anti-LGBT campaigns in recent years, has announced his plans earlier today to enter politics.