Church Led Violence at Anti-Homophobia Event in Tbilisi

ita eng
22 May 2013

Arguably leading the region in terms of democracy according to organizations such as Freedom House, attempts to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) in Georgia last week revealed major problems in terms of tolerance in the former Soviet Union. 

According to the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC), 88 percent of respondents in Georgia said they did not accept homosexuality as justifiable in 2011, something that was shockingly displayed in action on 17 May this year when as many as 20,000 Georgians went on a rampage to prevent 50 LGBT activists from gathering for just 30 minutes.

Photos and story by Onnik Krikorian

At Tbilisi’s Philharmonia
Hundreds of Georgians gather at Tbilisi’s Philharmonia to march on the old parliament building to prevent LGBT activists from observing the International Day Against Homophobia. Despite its European orientation, Georgia is still a fairly traditional and conservative country.
The march on parliament
Although Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili had declared that Georgians should accept the present of sexual minorities in the country, Patriarch Ilia II had the day demanded the IDAHO rally be banned. Georgian priests led the march on parliament.
Basil Mkalavishvili
Defrocked Georgian priest Basil Mkalavishvili was also present. Notorious for his violent campaigns against religious minorities in the country, this time he gathered elderly women carrying stinging nettles with which to thrash any sexual minorities that gathered to mark IDAHO day.
Draped in the Georgian flag
A woman draped in the Georgian flag and carrying a home-made crucifix symbolizes the deep religious belief among many of Georgia’s majority population. According to 2010 statistics from a household survey conducted by CRRC, 90 percent of Georgians believe religion to be important in their daily lives.
Police barricade
Having succeeded to occupy the area outside the old parliament building and much of Rustaveli Avenue, a light police barricade prevented the Georgian counter-protestors from reaching Freedom Square where LGBT activists were due to hold their event instead.
The attack
Initiated by priests who removed the barricades without any police resistance, thousands of Georgians opposed to homosexuality forced their way through the police line to seek out 50 LGBT activists gathered on Freedom Square. Police hurriedly evacuated the activists onto buses which were then attacked by angry demonstrators.  
The old Georgian flag
Symbolizing the traditional beliefs of many of the anti-gay protestors, a man waves the old Georgian flag on Tbilisi’s Liberty Square. The flag, especially for those supporting the deposed former nationalist president, Ghamsakhurdia, was replaced by the current one after the 2003 Rose Revolution.
Injured
At least 14 people were injured in the mayhem that followed, including police officers who while remaining passive overall did step in to protect LGBT activists when their situation risked turning into one which could have led to fatalities.
A man lies injured, reason unknown, on a side street
Assaulting anyone who ‘looked different'
Smaller groups of anti-gay protestors left the main group and scoured side streets seeking out any remaining LGBT activists or assaulting anyone who ‘looked different.’ These included women wearing pink in one case, and those with piercings in others.
Rustaveli Avenue
One such small group applauds police that sit idly by in a central park as they seek out LGBT activists and others off Rustaveli Avenue.
Supermarket
Two apparent members of the LGBT organization Identoba were chased by dozens of anti-gay demonstrators and took refuge in a supermarket on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue. Blocked by police, the group celebrated their achievement outside.
The following day
The following day a small group of civil society activists gathered to protest the Church-led violence against Identoba. Carrying banners and signs opposing violence and the influence of the Church many remain concerned that such incidents will occur again unless authorities punish those responsible for the 17 May violence.