Kesaria Abramidze, a well-known transgender model and public figure, was brutally murdered at her home in Didi Dighomi on September 18th. The investigation has begun under the presumption of premeditated murder with special cruelty based on gender and the suspect, 27-year-old Beka Jaiani had been apprehended shortly after the tragic incident.
The death of Abramidze has been devastating to the public, with President Zurabishvili calling it a ‘denial of humanity’ and encouraging society for deeper reflection to defeat the ‘hatred’ that fuels such acts of violence.
Acknowledging the devastating incident, multiple NGOs have released their statements. Shortly after the news broke on September 18th, GrlzWave shared emojis of the transgender flag next to a broken heart with a white backdrop and the caption ‘yet another life…’, suggesting the alarming extent to which transgender people, and other minorities, are discriminated against and victimized in Georgia.
The Women’s Initiatives Support Group (WISG) also released posts across various social media platforms, emphasizing the crisis and challenges the LGBTQ community faces in Georgia and the immediate necessity for legislative changes to avert such violence and discrimination.
“The news about the death of Kesaria Abramidze is devastating. We join her family, friends, acquaintances, and transgender community in grief.
“Shortly after adopting a Fascist law, the brutal death of a transgender woman is not only a gruesome symbol of such a decision but also a direct consequence of the legalization of hateful propaganda,’ WISG shared.