Tbilisi Pride
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| Tbilisi Pride | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Pride parade |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Years active | 2019-present |
Tbilisi Pride is an annual LGBT week-long event and Pride parade held since 2019 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The event has faced multiple threats and counter protests since its inception, most notably in 2021 and 2023.
History[edit]
Tbilisi Pride was founded by Georgian LGBT activist Giorgi Tabagari.[1]
In February 2019, organizers announced they planned to hold Tbilisi Pride from 18–23 June 2019, with a "March for Dignity" on 22 June.[2][3][4] Other events would include a conference and a play.[5] Conservative Georgians reacted negatively to the announcement of the event, and responded with threats, and the Georgian Orthodox Church released a statement condemning the planned event.[2][6] In turn, Tbilisi Pride organizers called on authorities to investigate the threats and ensure attendees' safety.[2] This demand was also echoed by Georgian NGOs.[7]
On 14 June, LGBT activists gathered in front of a government building to bring attention to their demands.[2][6] The group was counter-protested by anti-LGBT individuals, including several Orthodox priests; 28 counter protesters were detained.[2][5][6] On 17 June, the Georgian Interior Ministry denied the organizers permission to hold the events, due to "security threats".[4]
In light of these events, and ongoing political protests against Sergei Gavrilov, organizers postponed the March for Dignity to July 2019.[3][8] After initially telling journalists the event had been cancelled, a small parade of about two dozen marchers was held on 8 July without incident.[3] The parade was held for only half an hour, and dispersed after reports that extremist groups were gathering to confront the marchers.[3]
The event was criticized by some Georgian LGBT individuals, who said that it was not organized by the local LGBT community, and would incite more violence against the community.[9]
In 2021, Tbilisi Pride was launched on 1 July, with the March for Dignity planned for 5 July.[10] The parade was called off after the organizers' office and the parade route were attacked by violent counter-protesters.[10] Fifty journalists covering the events were attacked,[10] as the media had been largely sympathetic to Tbilisi Pride in the lead up to the event.[1] Event organizers criticized authorities for not responding to threats which had been made in the month before the event,[1] and Amnesty International criticized authorities' failure to protect attendees and journalists.[11]
In 2022, Tbilisi Pride was held from 28 June to 2 July without a March for Dignity or other public events, due to security concerns.[12] Instead, events included film screenings, a conference, and a festival in a private venue.[13] Twenty-six right-wing counter-protesters were arrested at a counter-rally during the week of events.[13]
The event was attacked again in 2023, during a closed festival event on 8 July.[14][15] Hundreds of counter-protesters, whom the police did not or were unable to restrain, vandalized the event's setup and burned Pride flags.[14][15] Organizers called off the event, and all participants were safely evacuated.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Ashton-Cirillo, Sarah (11 July 2022). "A year after anti-LGBTQ terrorist attack, Tbilisi Pride looks ahead". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Lomsadze, Giorgi (17 June 2019). "Anti-gay militia plans to thwart Tbilisi Pride". Eurasianet.
- ^ a b c d "Small LGBT Pride Rally Held In Tbilisi". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Turmoil around Tbilisi Pride continues, LGBT march date kept confidential". Agenda.ge. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b Cooper, Alex (19 June 2019). "Organizers of Georgia's first Pride defiant amid threats of violence". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Georgian LGBT Activists Face Off With Conservative Opponents". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Statement by non-governmental organisations on the 14 and 16 June events". საერთაშორისო გამჭვირვალობა - საქართველო (in Georgian). Transparency International. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Lavers, Michael K. (23 June 2019). "Georgia's first Pride parade postponed". Washington Blade. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Ptskialadze, Giorgi (18 June 2019). "Opinion | I'm queer and I'm against Tbilisi Pride. Here's why". OC Media. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "LGBT+ campaigners in Georgia call off pride march after office attack". Reuters. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Georgia: Police totally failed the Tbilisi Pride participants". Amnesty International. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Deputy Interior Minister says law enforcement will "prevent violence" after right-wing organisers call for disruption of Tbilisi Pride Week". Agenda.ge. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Police arrest 26 at rally against Tbilisi Pride Week". Agenda.ge. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "A mob storms Tbilisi Pride Fest site, forcing the event's cancellation". AP News. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b Kennedy, Niamh (8 July 2023). "Tbilisi Pride festival canceled after violent anti-LGBTQ protests". CNN. Retrieved 14 January 2024.