In Tbilisi, Georgia yesterday rightwing homophobic radicals blocked off the capital’s main avenue to prevent a planned LGBTQ Pride March & then launched a violent attack injuring over 20 journalists covering the celebration as well as numerous members of our LGBTQ community. Anti-LGBTQ groups waving Georgian flags also scaled the Tbilisi Pride headquarters tearing down rainbow flags & ransacking the office. LGBTQ organizers of the Tbilisi March For Dignity then cancelled the event saying authorities had not provided adequate security guarantees. This homophobic attack came after Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili made a statement earlier in the day that said it was inappropriate to hold a Pride march arguing that it would create confrontation & was "unacceptable for a large segment of the Georgian society." He also claimed that the "radical opposition" led by exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement was behind the march & sought to create "unrest." Tbilisi Pride Organizers stated that although they could not go out "in a street full of violence" supported by the government & church, they would continue to advocate for LGBTQ rights stating, "We would like to tell the supporters clearly that the fight for dignity will continue, this is an indispensable process that despite the hate groups, the Patriarchate & the government's resistance, will not stop." Tbilisi Pride needs our help. Tbilisi Pride represents the union of LGBTQI people & allies. They strive for civil rights of LGBTQ people to make political, legal & social changes in Georgia.
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