Georgian Parliament gives initial approval to sweeping curbs on LGBT rights
Georgia's parliament on Thursday gave its initial approval to a set of bills containing sweeping curbs on LGBT rights, including bans on the "propaganda" of same-sex relationships and gender reassignment surgery, Reuters reports.
The package, which was proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party and which could outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBT rainbow flag, was approved by a majority of deputies. It must pass two more readings before becoming law.
Parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili said earlier this month that lawmakers would only vote on the bills' second and third readings during the autumn parliamentary session, in the immediate run-up to a general election scheduled for Oct. 26.
He has said the bills are necessary to control "LGBT propaganda" which he said was "altering traditional relations".
The legislation would also ban non-heterosexual people from adopting children and prevent people from changing their gender on ID documents. Public gatherings promoting same-sex relationships would not be allowed either.
If approved, "LGBT propaganda" in the education system would be outlawed and broadcasters banned from showing intimate scenes involving same-sex relationships.
LGBT rights are controversial in deeply religious Georgia, where the country's Orthodox Church enjoys wide public respect.
