Ruling party aims to amend constitution to “protect family values” by restricting “LGBT propaganda”

The ruling party Georgian Dream on Monday said it aimed to amend the Constitution of Georgia, citing the protection of family values as their primary motive, with proposed changes that could restrict LGBT rights. 

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, emphasized the need to revise Article 30 of the Constitution, which pertains to marriage, motherhood, and children’s rights.

Mdinaradze asserted during a party briefing that “safeguarding family values and shielding future generations” from perceived adverse effects of what he termed as “pseudo-liberal propaganda” was paramount. He announced plans for the introduction of a constitutional law entitled “On Family Values and Protection of Minors” subsequent to the constitutional amendments.

However, the party lacks the requisite votes in the current convocation of parliament to enact constitutional changes. Mdinaradze indicated that if unsuccessful in this convocation, they would pursue the same objective in the parliament elected in October 2024. Any constitutional amendments would require subsequent approval by the President of Georgia after passing through parliament.

Constitutional laws necessitate the support of at least three-quarters (113 votes) of the full parliamentary assembly for adoption. 

 

Mdinaradze presented a draft of the proposed constitutional law, outlining provisions such as only married heterosexual couples or heterosexual individuals may adopt minors, prohibition of any medical interventions related to gender reassignment, prohibition of assemblies and dissemination of materials promoting same-sex couples or gender reassignment-related medical interventions.

Mdinaradze had previously hinted at plans to draft legislation aimed at shielding society from what he described as “pseudo-liberal ideology and its inevitable harmful consequences.” This announcement follows earlier statements disavowing the consideration of legislation against “LGBT propaganda.”

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stressed the importance of ensuring that any such legislation is aligned with the constitutional principle of equality for all individuals, emphasizing the protection of freedom of expression.

Some segments of society have likened the proposed legislation to Russia’s controversial laws, dubbing it “Russian Law 2,” referencing Russia’s laws targeting “LGBT propaganda” enacted in 2013 and extended in 2022.