Zugdidi, July 23, 2019
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A collection of signatures was launched on Saturday in Zugdidi, the capital of the western Georgian Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, to petition for the adoption of a law that would prohibit the promotion of LGBT ideology and lifestyles.
The initiative began at the Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God that is currently under construction. In addition to collecting signatures, a meeting was held to discuss the problematic issues of unity with the old traditions. During the event, a large feast was organized near the church, where everyone who signed the petition was fed, reports zugdidelebi.ge.
Georgia is a deeply traditional country, with more than 80% of the population belonging to the Orthodox Church, and the battle between traditional, Orthodox values and more liberal, secularized values is being prompted and aggravated not only by the nation’s LGBT community, but by the great Western powers, many clergy and faithful believe.
The event on Saturday was led by representatives of the “For a United and Moral Georgia” movement and was attended by businessman Levan Vasadze, known as an active defender of traditional values, reports Interfax-Religion.
Photo: zugdidelebi.ge
The petition calls for the removal of the terms “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” from the anti-discrimination legislative act of Georgia, which the movement believes allows LGBT representatives “to promote their views and way of life in society,” as well as the adoption of a law that would prohibit the promotion of homosexuality. The Georgian Church also actively supports these demands, zugdidelebi.ge reports.
The topic is especially relevant right now as the first ever Tbilisi Pride event was held on July 8, despite strong protests from the Church and other conservative groups.
A similar law exists in Russia, prohibiting the sexual propagandizing of minors. In May, the Moscow city administration refused for the 14th year in a row on the basis of this law to allow representatives of the LGBT community to hold a gay pride parade.
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