As the world celebrates IDAHOT, Georgian church marks Family Purity day
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, May 18
On May 17th, the world celebrates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. However, the Georgian Church has been celebrating May 17th as the Family Purity day since 2014. Usually, the church calls on people to take the streets and march, however, because of the ongoing pandemic, the day was celebrated without public participation.
With the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch, members of the church were going around the city and blessing the population in Tbilisi.
On the other hand, Tbilisi Pride organised an international online demonstration against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia yesterday.
“Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia is a huge problem for people living in Georgia. This is a problem for not only those who are being discriminated against, but also for those who believe that doing so is okay. This is a problem also for those who believe that they are not homophobes, but they do not want to see queer people in public, showing their own true selves,” said representatives of the organisation.
Members of the LGBTQ community, activists, supporters, politicians, religious leaders, government and international organizations talked about the challenges that the queer community faces.
European Georgia has issued a statement on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, stating that it is the duty of all decent people to stand up to violence and protect the rights of fellow citizens.
The party also points out that some citizens still live in hatred, violence and fear. “Unfortunately, so far, no government has been able to take such steps to significantly improve the situation. Ivanishvili's team has been protecting violent groups and using them for their own political purposes,” reads the statement.
European Georgia says restricting speculation and violent groups is important for the country's security, as the vast majority of perpetrators are pro-Russian and are backed by Russia, both politically and financially.
“It is the duty of all democratic and dignified, political or public groups to unite to protect individual freedom within the country and the freedom of Georgia as a whole,” the party said.
May 17th is an International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. On this day, the Georgian Patriarchate celebrates the Day of Protection of the Family Purity. Ilia II imposed this holiday after the members of the church violently dispersed civilians gathered to celebrate this day on May 17th, 2013.
