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Country Overview

Georgia

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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In large part due to closer ties to the EU, Georgia has enacted several legal changes protecting the human rights of LGBTIQ people. In 2014, comprehensive anti-discrimination laws were passed, including grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2012, sexual orientation and gender identity were recognized as aggravating circumstances in hate crime legislation, and since 2008 an administrative process for legal gender recognition has been in place. Despite these protections, LGBTIQ Georgians are vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and harassment by private individuals and law enforcement officers. Trans women especially have been targets of extreme violence and even murder. There have been reports of law enforcement officers arbitrarily arresting and detaining LGBTIQ people. Freedom of assembly for LGBTIQ people is severely inhibited. Government officials do not provide adequate protection for LGBTIQ public events, and marches are often moved to remote locations. May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia, is designated as Family Sanctity Day, in effect providing a reason to reject requests for LGBTIQ events to be held in central spaces. Moreover, police are often complacent when LGBTIQ people report hate crimes. The Orthodox Church holds significant social and political influence, contributing to negative public attitudes toward LGBTIQ people. Despite these challenges, LGBTIQ people have experienced increased visibility and acceptance, particularly among younger generations.

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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