18 May 2014, 14:08
Tbilisi starts collecting signatures for amending anti-discrimination law
On May 17, the action held in front of the parliament building gave a start for collecting signatures in Tbilisi to support a demand to amend the Law "On Prohibition of All Forms of Discrimination" and adopt a new law prohibiting the propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation. It is planned to send the collected signatures to the Georgian Parliament.
On April 30, the Patriarchate of Georgia officially urged the MPs to suspend the consideration of the above Law, arguing that it stipulates the protection of sexual minorities. On May 1, Georgian priests stated that they had received a promise not to enshrine the legalization of same-sex marriages.
The organizers and participants of the protest action believe that they support the Georgian Patriarchate, disgruntled with the use of two terms in the above anti-discrimination law, believing that they are "legitimizing immorality and debauchery."
Most of the protesters stated that the above terms, namely, the "sexual orientation" and the "gender identity", are contrary to the Christianity.
Earlier the human rights organization "Amnesty International" urged the Georgian government to amend the Law "On Prohibition of All Forms of Discrimination" so that it allowed a real ban on all forms of discrimination.
Author: Inna Kukudzhanova Source: CK correspondent