International Day Against Homophobia

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Protesters burn a homemade 'rainbow flag’ prior to the premiere of queer romance film And Then We Danced. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Podcast | A history of homophobic violence

by OC Media

•2 min read

This week, Tbilisi is celebrating Pride Week. But unlike most Prides, this one is being held behind closed doors. The fight for the right to be queer in public in Georgia is not new. We spoke to Natia Ghvianishvili, one of a handful of activists who gathered on 17 May 2013 only to be attacked by thousands of people led by priests, and to Mariam Kvaratskhelia, co-founder and co-director of Tbilisi Pride, about their activism. OC Media’s Mariam Nikuradze also discusses the

A man carries a cross in a Church-led procession against queer rights on 17 May 2022 in Tbilisi. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

Georgia

Georgia marks 17 May with Christian rally and closed queer event

by Shota Kincha

•5 min read

The Georgian Orthodox Church held their eighth annual event to mark Family Sanctity Day on International Day against Homophobia, a recently invented tradition to prevent queer rights advocates from publicly demonstrating in central Tbilisi city. Thousands gathered in the city centre after a call by the Georgian Orthodox Church to attend church services and then participate in a procession on 17 May. Globally, 17 May is marked as the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transp

blessmobiles

Video | Priests rule the streets as Georgia marks Day Against Homophobia in lockdown

by Dato Parulava

•0 min read

The usual stand-off between supporters of queer rights and homophobic counter-protesters did not take place this 17 May in Tbilisi, as Georgia marked International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia under a state of emergency. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, however, ‘blessmobiles’ laden with priests still roamed the streets spraying holy water on pedestrians.

Armenia

Voice | ‘Our families are as holy as yours’ — stories of acceptance

by OC Media

•10 min read

Despite widespread homophobic attitudes throughout the Caucasus, there are some queer people who find acceptance for who they are — from their co-workers, their friends, and their families. Below are the stories of three queer people, from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Drago — a stage pseudonym — is a 17-year-old boy from Rustavi, Georgia. He is a make-up artist, a fashion model, and a drag performer. Everywhere he walks, he gets unapologetic looks — openly wearing women’s attire, with

Family Purity Day

Tbilisi marks International Day Against Homophobia with a single rainbow flag

by OC Media

•6 min read

Queer rights activists abstained from holding a demonstration in Tbilisi for this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia over safety concerns. Next month, Tbilisi is expected to host its first ever queer pride event. After warnings from far-right groups that anti-homophobic demonstrations would be met with violence, the Equality Movement, Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group, and other queer rights groups decided to limit themselves to online campaigns only o

Georgia

Ad company pulls out of deal to display anti-homophobia posters in Tbilisi

by OC Media

•5 min read

An advertising company that owns public ad spaces in central Tbilisi has refused to display anti-homophobia messages despite signing a contract with Georgian queer rights group the Equality Movement to do so, according to the group. The Equality Movement had intended to display messages promoting equality on Tbilisi’s streets for 17 May — International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT). The group accused advertising company Alma of refusing to provide them with the

Georgia

Neo-Nazi leader arrested on gun charges in Georgia

by OC Media

•5 min read

Georgian police arrested the leader of neo-Nazi group the Nationalist Socialist Movement — National Unity of Georgia on Saturday for the illegal purchase, storing, and carrying of firearms. Giorgi Chelidze faces 3–6 years in prison if convicted. After searching his flat, police claimed to have found several illegal firearms as well as 28 rounds of ammunition. Prosecutor’s claimed on Monday that Chelidze removed a sink in the bathroom of his house and attempted to dispose of evidence by thro