The parliamentary majority leader, Mamuka Mdinaradze says that Georgian Dream has prepared constitutional amendments that clearly define "guarantees of family values and protection of minors". The amendments prohibit the assembly or distribution of materials aimed at promoting same-sex family relationships.
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"It is our responsibility to protect, on the one hand, the constitutional rights and freedoms of all people, no matter how unconventional and different their lifestyle may be, and on the other hand, we must also very principled protect our family values and future generations from the expected irreparable consequences of pseudo-liberal propaganda," said Mdinaradze at the briefing held today.
"We have decided to initiate constitutional amendments, where family values and protection of minors will be clearly written. After this, in the very near future, we will also initiate corresponding and more specific changes in several dozen laws. The changes in the legislation will be in full compliance with the current Constitution of Georgia. However, in the long term, we will initiate constitutional changes for the firm implementation of the mentioned goals."
The Georgian Dream does not have the necessary number of votes to pass constitutional amendments in the parliament. They will do everything to ensure the support of the changes "now or, at the very least, in the parliament of the next convocation", and the changes in the laws will be "guaranteed to be accepted" this year, Mdinaradze said.
"The risk we face in the opposition is that we may not be able to pass constitutional amendments this year, but we will ensure this through legislation," he noted.
Mdinaradze also said that paragraph 3 will be added to Article 30 of the Constitution of Georgia (right to marriage, rights of mothers and children) with the following content: "The protection of family values and minors is ensured by the constitutional law of Georgia, which is an integral part of the Constitution of Georgia."
Georgian Dream formulated the constitutional law "On Family Values and Protection of Minors" as follows:
Article 1.
- According to the legislation, only a relationship similar to marriage that involves the union of one biological man and one biological woman, both at least 18 years old, can be regulated.
- Adoption or foster care of a minor is allowed only by married spouses or heterosexual individuals in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of Georgia.
- Any medical intervention related to changing a person's sex is prohibited.
- The document issued by the state or local government indicates only the female or male gender that corresponds to their genetic data.
- Any decision by a public authority or a private individual that directly or indirectly restricts the use of gender-based concepts is invalid.
- Gatherings aimed at promoting same-sex families or intimate relationships, incest, adoption, or foster care of a minor by a same-sex couple or a non-heterosexual person, medical interventions related to gender reassignment, or the non-use of gender-specific concepts are prohibited.
- It is prohibited to distribute a work, program, or other material that promotes same-sex families or intimate relationships, incest, adoption, or foster care of a minor by a same-sex couple or a non-heterosexual person, medical interventions related to sex change, or the non-use of gender-specific concepts.
- It is prohibited to provide information in the educational process of a public or private educational institution that promotes same-sex families or intimate relationships, incest, adoption, or foster care of a minor by a same-sex couple or a non-heterosexual person, medical interventions related to sex change, or the non-use of gender-specific concepts.
The ruling party announced legislative changes against LGBT propaganda on February 29. According to some members of the opposition, Georgian Dream is attempting to divert attention from real problems, while others believe that the goal is to limit freedom of expression.
A law completely banning LGBT propaganda has been in effect in Russia for about two years. Before that, since 2013, the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relations" was only prohibited among minors. According to the law signed by President Vladimir Putin on December 5, 2022, the fine for LGBT propaganda is 400,000 rubles for individuals and 5 million for legal entities. The law applies to various fields, including online and offline cinemas, theater, media, advertising business, and social networks. Roskomnadzor has the right to block Internet resources that contain "propaganda" of "non-traditional relationships", pedophilia, and gender reassignment without a court order.
