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Georgia Celebrates Day Of Family Purity Amid LGBTQ+ Tensions

People with Georgian national flags march celebrating the Day of Family Purity in Tbilisi, Georgia, Friday, May 17, 2024. Tens of thousands of people including the prime minister on Friday marched thr

Georgia's prime minister and tens of thousands of people participated in a march through the capital, Tbilisi, to commemorate the Day of Family Purity. This day, initiated by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2013, celebrates traditional family values in a country where there is strong opposition towards sexual minorities.

The march, which also took place in over 20 other cities, saw participants carrying icons, Christian emblems, and donning traditional costumes with intricate patterns. However, liberal groups have raised concerns as the event coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili were among the marchers in Tbilisi. The procession culminated at the Trinity Cathedral, where Kobakhidze lauded the event for safeguarding the country's identity, language, and faith.

One participant, Rusudan Tabatadze, emphasized the importance of defending faith, citing the historical significance of faith in Georgian culture. The ruling Georgian Dream Party recently introduced a bill that restricts LGBTQ+ rights, proposing bans on sex changes, adoption by same-sex couples, and events promoting same-sex relations.

Georgian Orthodox Church initiated the Day of Family Purity in 2013.
Irakli Kobakhidze and Shalva Papuashvili join march for Day of Family Purity.
Participants celebrate with icons, emblems, and traditional costumes in over 20 cities.
Concerns raised as event clashes with International Day Against Homophobia.
Georgian Dream Party introduces bill restricting LGBTQ+ rights.
President Zourabichvili may veto bill affecting Georgia's EU aspirations.
Protests erupt over bill requiring media and NGOs to register as 'foreign agents'.
Tensions rise over LGBTQ+ issues, highlighted by last year's festival disruption.
Opponents fear restrictions on sex changes, adoption, and same-sex relations.

Moreover, Georgian Dream passed a bill requiring news media and NGOs to register as 'agents of foreign influence' if they receive over 20% of their funding from abroad. This move sparked widespread protests in Tbilisi, with critics likening it to Russian regulations.

President Salome Zourabichvili has expressed intentions to veto the bill, which opponents argue could hinder Georgia's EU aspirations. However, supporters hold sufficient parliamentary seats to override a potential veto.

Georgia has witnessed heightened tensions over divergent sexual norms, exemplified by an incident last year where opponents of gay rights disrupted an LGBTQ+ festival in Tbilisi, leading to its cancellation.

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