Due to severe riots CSD in Tbilisi was canceled
It was supposed to be a sign for more tolerance and diversity. Now the CSD in Tbilisi has been canceled due to massive counter-protests.
Nationalists attacked an office where the Pride organizers were planning the event shortly before. In the end, those responsible had no choice but to cancel this year's CSD... partly because the government also opposed the organizers.
For example, it was stated that no security would be guaranteed. The responsible Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili also spoke out several times in favor of canceling the event and threatened the organizers and organizers.
A first statement on the part of the CSD responsible persons
In the meantime, those responsible for the CSD in Tbilisi have commented on the cancelled event and, among other things, voiced clear criticism of the government. Among other things, the statement says that war has been declared on democratic values. In addition, it was accepted that people's lives were put in danger. Anyone who stood up for equality could have become a victim of violence.
A particular problem, he said, is that all the hatred is being carried along by the government.
Ultimately, it emerges from another statement that those responsible would have found it unacceptable to take to the streets despite the massive protests against the CSD. In this way, otherwise the lives of people would have been put at risk. At the same time, they had not the slightest intention of giving up.
The EU also speaks out
The homophobic developments that are currently on the rise again in numerous countries around the world are viewed skeptically by the EU, among others. Meanwhile, several European countries have condemned the actions of the government in Tbilisi.
Those who had used violence during the protests would have to be punished, while politicians would have to defend the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
In the meantime, there have also been calls for the Georgian ambassador to be summoned to Germany so that a solution can be sought.
Queers and LGBTQ supporters in Tbilisi in danger
Anyone who looks at the frightening images from Tbilisi quickly realizes that the short-term cancellation of the CSD was the only correct solution here - at least at this point in time.
But life for the LGBTQ community and its supporters in Georgia is anything but easy, even outside the event. Therefore, it is self-explanatory why it would have been so important for the organizers to be able to rely on the protection of the government during the event.
Shockingly, by the way, this is not the first time that Christopher Street Day in Tbilisi had to be canceled. In 2019, the event could not take place either. At that time, it was also homophobic groups - especially from the right-wing scene - who managed to prevent the important messages from being conveyed.
Whether in the context of small or large events, there are always injuries and fisticuffs in the area in and around Tbilisi.
CSDs in Western Europe - no major counter-demos, but...
Compared with the situation in Tbilisi, conditions in many countries in Western Europe are largely relaxed. It is extremely rare that there are really violent counter-demonstrations here.
Nevertheless, there are of course, including in Germany, many people who oppose the queer movement with skepticism or hatred.
Unlike in Georgia, however, LGBTQs in Western Europe can almost always be sure that they will be protected by their country's government. This is a great advantage, which, among other things, helps them to be able to act with a little more self-confidence and in an appropriately shielded setting.
Did you already know? Michael Michalsky will be the jurror on "Das Supertalent".