Georgian Patriarchate Criticizes EU Call to Repeal Anti-LGBT Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Georgian Orthodox Church expressed strong opposition on Sunday to a recent call by the European Commission for the repeal of Georgia's controversial anti-LGBT legislation. The Patriarchate said the demand undermines what it claims were earlier assurances that European integration would not require changes to the country's stance on LGBTQ issues.
In a July 21 statement, the Church said it viewed the European Commission's recommendation as a breach of trust.
"They always made it clear that Georgia's integration into European structures would not be linked to promoting the propaganda of a non-traditional lifestyle," the Church's Public Relations Service stated.
The comments follow a list of eight steps issued by the European Union last week that Georgia must take to retain its visa-free travel privileges. One of those steps includes repealing laws that target civil society and restrict the rights of LGBTQ people.
Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, passed the anti-LGBT legislation earlier this year. The law bans what it calls "LGBT propaganda" aimed at minors and is described by the Church as defending "family purity."
"It was always stated during meetings with Patriarch Ilia II (there are recordings) that the Georgian people aspire to protect Christian and traditional family values," the statement said. "It was also said that, on the path toward European integration, any categorical demand or imposition of obligations that contradict our traditions would not take place."
The Patriarchate cited Patriarch Ilia II as having "repeatedly noted" that the country's European ambitions must not come at the cost of moral or religious principles.
"The European choice can be fulfilled under conditions where teachings against God, such as the propaganda of a non-traditional lifestyle, are not imposed," the statement said. "Including provisions in European recommendations that directly or indirectly call for the repeal of the law protecting minors from LGBT propaganda is deeply disappointing."
The Church added that it had supported the legislation from the beginning and praised the government for its adoption.
"Today as well, the religious community believes that these laws are fully adequate to reinforce a healthy social lifestyle," the Patriarchate said.
The statement concluded by warning that the EU's stance could alienate many Georgians.
"There is a clear incompatibility between the protection of traditional family values and the perspective of the European aspiration," the Patriarchate said. "This causes disappointment among a large part of the Georgian population."
