Tbilisi Pride events launch, president ‘backs constitutional rights’ of pride participants
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated that everyone in the country has the right to free expression. Photo: President’s press office.
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated that the participants of Tbilisi Pride should use their constitutional right to free expression within the law.
Zurabishvili said that violence and the use of hate speech is unacceptable in the country, which ‘has always been distinguished’ by its tolerance.
Tbilisi Pride events, which aim to boost the public’s awareness of problems and needs of the LGBT community, begin today and are scheduled to be completed by a march in central Tbilisi on July 5.
???? #TbilisiPride2021 will take place during 1-5 July, consisting of events, including: Queer Fest and March for Dignity.
— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) June 4, 2021
❗On 5th of July we march for #Solidarity with partner social movements.
✊ Our #Pride is political and we need international solidarity as well. Join us! pic.twitter.com/Rle1zCGqfC
The Georgian public defender, MEPs and the international community have urged the Georgian government to ensure the safety of pride participants amid the statements of right-wing and homophobic groups that they will not allow the conduct of Tbilisi Pride.
The Georgian Patriarchate has called on the government to encourage the cancellation of Tbilisi Pride events to prevent ‘an escalation of the situation and tension.’
The ruling Georgian Dream party officials and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze have stated that the conduct of Tbilisi Pride events ‘is not reasonable.’
However, they said that the freedom of expression and everyone’s rights ‘are protected in the country.’
Georgian Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava repeated earlier today that the freedom of expression has been 'absolutely protected under the Georgian Dream government,' and expressed hope that no violence will take place during Tbilisi Pride events.
The diplomatic corps and international organisations have express their solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals 'in support of equality and human rights for everyone in Georgia'.
Thirty MEPs have called for the Georgian Interior Ministry to ensure ‘sufficient and effective protection’ of Tbilisi Pride participants between 1-5 July.
Civic platforms No to Phobia, Coalition for Equality and other civic organisations have responded to statements by Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party and David Sergeenko, member of the same party, which concern the pride parade planned by Tbilisi Pride and partner organisations to take place on July 5.
Right-wing businessman Levan Vasadze, who has recently founded political movement Unity, Essence, Hope, has urged the government to cancel Tbilisi Pride events between 1-5 July.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met with her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris today. During their meeting the two presidents pledged to deepen the political and economic ties between their countries, as well as the role of the European Union in the Black Sea region.
Twelve individuals have been detained earlier today for trying to disrupt film screening on the first day of Tbilisi Pride. The Georgian Interior Ministry has released a statement earlier today, promising to ensure the safety measures during the pride by maintaining the rule of law and ensuring the right to the freedom of expression and assembly of each person.
Twenty individuals detained on July 1 for attempting to disrupt Tbilisi Pride events have been released today, reports the Georgian Interior Ministry.