Orthodox Groups Rally to Protest Against Anti-Discrimination Bill

Orthodox groups, among them clerics, rallied in Tbilisi and Kutaisi on April 30 to protest against anti-discrimination bill and to demand from the Parliament not to adopt the legislation.

Despite fierce opposition from Orthodox clerics and some non-parliamentary opposition politicians at a hearing of parliamentary committee for human rights on April 29, lawmakers gave go-ahead for the bill to be discussed with its second reading at a parliamentary session.

Vice speaker of parliament, GD MP Manana Kobakhidze, said on Wednesday that the bill is expected to be discussed by a parliamentary session with its second reading this week; an exact date has yet to be set.

Dozens of people gathered outside the old parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue and a similar rally by Orthodox groups was also held outside the parliament building in Kutaisi on the same day. Some were holding banners reading: “Legalization and propaganda of homosexuality is genocide of the nation” and “We ask the authorities not to allow preaching of depravity.”