|
News
|
 |
|
17 May 2012, 16:29Police protect Tbilisi gay pride parade from Orthodox Christian activists
Tbilisi, May 17, Interfax - The gay pride parade in Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, which was sanctioned by the city authorities, has ended in a brawl between participants and members of the Union of Orthodox Parents.
About 50 representatives of sexual minorities and members of Identity, a nongovernmental organization, timed the march in central Tbilisi to coincide with the anti-homophobia day marked in several countries.
The demonstrators in Rustaveli Avenue were stopped by about 200 members of the Orthodox Parents Union who, after some verbal squabbles, started beating them. Intervention by the police escorting the parade prevented further injury to the demonstrators.
The incident is typical because the majority of people in Georgia are extremely aggressive towards sexual minorities, the parade participants told reporters.
Meanwhile, Georgian ombudsman Georgi Tugushi urged the public, politicians and mass media to show interest in the problems of sexual minorities.
"I believe it should become important for Georgian politicians, civil sector and media representatives to promote a culture of tolerance, including interest in the rights and problems of representatives of sexual minorities. Only in this case will there be an opportunity for liberal and democratic development of the state and society," the ombudsman said in a statement issued on Thursday on the occasion of the international day against homophobia on May 17. |
