In connection with the “Day of Sanctity of the Family,” a solemn march is being held in Tbilisi and in various regions of the country.
The Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service said that at 12:00, clergy and parishioners will gather at St. George’s Cathedral (Kashveti) on Rustaveli Avenue. Apart from Tbilisi, the march is planned in various dioceses, including Kutaisi, Mtskheta, Rustavi and Batumi.
“For the past ten years, with the blessing and initiative of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II, the day of sanctity of the family and respect for parents has been celebrated in our country.
“Family and respect for traditions are the fundamental values, on the protection and sanctity of which stands the strength of a decent country and each citizen. It is significant that protecting the sanctity of the family is very important for both Christians and followers of other faiths, because it is a healthy family that is the face and foundation of a strong and traditional state.
“This year, as per traditional, clergy and numerous parishioners will organize a prayer procession on this day”, reads the statement released by the Patriarchate.
Based on the resolution of the Government of Georgia, May 17, 2024 has been declared a holiday in connection with the Day of Sanctity of the Family and Respect for Parents. Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze signed the document on May 15.
May 17 – International Day of Combating Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
May 17 is also internationally recognized as the International Day of Combating Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. It was celebrated for the first time in 2005. The date was chosen symbolically – on May 17, 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of “diseases.”
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters have often tried to celebrate this day in Georgia against the background of opposition from radical groups.
The European Court of Human Rights called the violence against LGBTQ+ demonstrators in Tbilisi on May 17, 2013 “unprecedented” and imposed a payment of 193,500 euros on Georgia. The mentioned violence took place on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.
In 2014, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II first announced May 17 as the Day of Sanctity of the Family and Respect for Parents.
In 2024, the parliamentary majority “Georgian Dream” developed a draft of constitutional amendments, which will significantly limit the rights and freedom of expression of LGBT people.
On March 25, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, presented draft laws restricting LGBT rights to journalists. If these changes are accepted:
Only a married family (woman and man) or a heterosexual person will be able to adopt a minor;
Any medical intervention related to gender change shall be prohibited;
Assemblies and the distribution of programs or materials that “promote” same-sex couples or medical interventions related to gender change will be prohibited.
The ruling party does not have enough votes to pass the constitutional amendments in the current parliament, although general discussions of the project have started.
Related story: Parliament completes public review of draft law prepared against LGBT propaganda
