Protecting Society from Pseudo-Liberal Ideology: A Familiar Tale of Fear and Exclusion
Exploring the Perceptions: Delving into the Georgian Government's Interpretation of "Alleged Liberal Pretense"
Winter is here, and the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) coalition has declared their intentions to safeguard society from a supposed pseudo-liberal ideology. This narrative isn't a new one; it mirrors a pattern observed across the globe. From anti-abortion groups to trans-exclusionary radical feminists, far-right actors have been rallying against what they term "gender ideology" for decades.
In Georgia, the GD's attempt to maintain traditional family values has taken a discriminatory turn. Draft constitutional changes announced in late March relegated members of the LGBTQ+ community to second-class citizens. The introduction of the "foreign agents" bill, reminiscent of Russian legislation, further tightens the noose around non-governmental organizations.
GD's leader of the parliamentary faction, Mamuka Mdinaradze, reassured that these changes wouldn't curb freedom of speech or existing constitutional rights. However, defining "pseudo-liberal propaganda" as non-traditional sexual orientations and gender-neutral terminology showed otherwise.
Behind this fear-mongering facade, an undercurrent of bigotry emerges. Opposition to "gender ideology" implies a narrow definition of "the people," a strict "family," and limited definitions of individual rights. These definitions deliberately exclude minority groups, marginalizing them based on their gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, or any other identity marker.
Georgia's political landscape is strained economically. More than 40% of families struggle with debt, 90% have no savings, and over half the population is considering leaving the country. Yet, basic rights remain overlooked. Minority religions are contested, women's political participation is low, and violence levels are alarming, with every second woman indicating she has experienced some form of violence. Meanwhile, the Georgian Orthodox Church and authorities face allegations of ignoring child marriages, child abuse in schools, and pedophilia cases.
In this context, talking about protecting fundamental rights or children's rights through a queerphobic draft law is disingenuous at best. Critics accuse the GD of exploiting these issues to solidify their electoral stance ahead of the fall's parliamentary elections. They also see similarities with Russia's strategy of stamping out dissent using these types of legislation.
The co-opting of anti-LGBTQ+ far-right ideas by mainstream political parties is not unique to Georgia. In Uganda, Poland, and Hungary, such political maneuvers have led to increased social polarization, human rights violations, political backlash, and the erosion of democratic values. As much as the spotlight often shines on violent far-right groups or their explicit statements, it is mainstream actors who cling to power that ultimately push fragile democracies towards authoritarianism.
- The ongoing discourse about protecting society from pseudo-liberal ideology, as seen in Georgia and other parts of the world, often finds its way into environmental news, echoing the concerns of groups that opposed climate policies.
- In the realm of general news, experts and policymakers worldwide closely observe the ongoing politics in Georgia concerning the proposed changes to the constitution and the 'foreign agents' bill, which might impact lifestyle and policy-and-legislation discourses.
- The debate in Georgia's politics regarding the protection of traditional family values has raised concerns among groups that work on crime-and-justice issues, as the human rights of the LGBTQ+ community are being questioned and may affect the enforcement of existing laws.
- Journalists and news outlets covering war-and-conflicts worldwide pay attention to Georgia as political tensions escalate over the proposed constitutional changes and the fear-mongering facade presented by the Georgian Dream coalition, with implications for the nation's stability and potential regional impact.
- On a broader scale, the events unfolding in Georgia serve as a reminder to the international community of the importance of supporting and protecting minority rights, upholding democratic values, and fostering an inclusive lifestyle that accommodates all, in the face of these political machinations.
