Georgia: LGBT Activists Attacked by Orthodox Religious Group
In the first ever event of its kind in the country to mark the 17 May International Day Against Homophobia, Georgian LGBT activists were blocked by a group of Orthodox Christians as they marched in downtown Tbilisi, the Georgian capital.
Priests leading the Union of Orthodox Parents (UOP) demanded the march stopped, alleging that it would lead to moral depravity among the younger generation in the predominantly Christian country.
LGBT activists responded by asking them to clear the way so that the march could continue, but when attempts by the priests and UOP to convince nearby police to to stop the march failed, a physical altercation ensued.
Photo by TSpress.ge
@gabo_ge: პოლიციამ იდენტობის სამი აქტივისტი დააკავა მათ შორის ლევან გერიანიძე
@temuchin22: მმკ ხალხს სცემს და ნაცემი ხალხი მიჰყავთ განყოფილებაში. მიმიფურთხებია ასეთი სამართალდამცავი ორგანოსთვის! მოვითხოვ მმკელების დაპატიმრებას!
@lishtotah: LGBT activism limited to “holding the very first pride” will only fuel #homophobia in #Tbilisi :queer here:
@JohnHesslewood: If your main argument is ‘how can you promote something like that in the street’ then I would ask the same thing of you, christians #tbilisi
Photo by TSpress.ge
Photo by TSpress.ge
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The confrontation was denounced by many on Facebook who changed their profile pictures in support of the activists.
'International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia'
5 comments
I always find it humoring when “christians” claim that this is a christian or predominantly christian nation. It may be true that a lot of people “claim” to be christian, but for many people, they just say that and don’t live a christian life.
The US is not a christian nation, but a convenient one. It’s filled with people who are christians at their own convenience. As long as the scripture doesn’t apply to them, then they’re more than happy to point the finger at others, especially the gay community. But when a portion of the bible says something that does apply to them, they either ignore it or twist it to try and get out of being responsible for their actions. The “bible belt” is a prime example. They are some of the quickest to point a finger at gays, but ignore the fact that the bible speaks against gluttony, pride, and greed just as much, if not more, than homosexuality.
I find it strange how WWJD is such a popular phrase among christians when they act more like god did in the old testament than like Jesus. They judge, condemn, and treat athiest and gays horribly. If I recall correctly, when Jesus walked the earth, he dined with sinners. Many self-proclaimed christians want NOTHING to do with sinners.
Christians need to start enforcing their beliefs in house before they start pointing fingers everywhere else.