Georgia’s parliament has approved draft legislation curtailing LGBTQ+ rights, echoing laws adopted in neighboring Russia

Lawmakers in Georgia have approved restrictive new laws curbing LGBT rights and allowing for bans on things like Pride marches and culture, in a vote boycotted by the opposition that underscores a dramatically polarized political landscape ahead of national elections in October.

The Georgian Parliament on Tuesday approved a ruling Georgian Dream party-proposed bills on amnesty for thousands of prisoners and a legislative package against “LGBT propaganda” in its third hearing.

The bill would provide a legal basis for authorities to outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBT rainbow flag, and to impose censorship of films and books. Leaders of the governing Georgian Dream party say it is needed to safeguard traditional moral standards in Georgia,

Georgia's parliament approves draft legislation curtailing LGBTQ+ rights, similar to laws in neighboring Russia

The bill was voted through on Tuesday after it was originally introduced by the ruling populist party Georgian Dream earlier this year. It includes bans on same-sex marriages, adoption by same-sex couples,

The measure mirrors similar legislation used in Russia to curb LGBTQ rights and "concerns restricting, in educational institutions and TV broadcasts, the propaganda of same-sex relationships and incest.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has voted to approve legislation that would allow authorities to outlaw Pride events and censor media. The bill is similar to a law in neighboring Russia.