Georgian Church Condemns EU Push to Repeal Anti-LGBT Laws
Patriarchate warns of betrayal of promises, deepening rift with Europe over traditional values
TBILISI — The Georgian Orthodox Church has sharply criticized recent recommendations from the European Union urging Georgia to repeal anti-LGBT legislation enacted in October 2024. In a strongly worded statement released by the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, the Church expressed “serious concern” over what it views as a betrayal of repeated EU assurances that European integration would not come at the cost of Georgia’s traditional Orthodox Christian values.
The law in question bans same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, "gender-affirming" care, and public depictions or “propaganda” of LGBT identities, effectively outlawing Pride events in the country. The Church, which had actively supported the legislation, emphasized that these measures reflect the Georgian people’s commitment to preserving Christian morality and protecting minors.
Referring to prior meetings with EU officials and the Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, the Church said it had received clear assurances that joining European institutions would not require the promotion of what it called “God-opposing teachings.” The statement warns that the new EU recommendations risk undermining public trust in the European project and further polarizing Georgian society.
The full statement released by the Patriarchate can be read below.
Recently, the content of recommendations issued by the European Union to Georgia has caused serious concern within Georgian society and the Orthodox Church. This concern specifically pertains to the part that calls for the abolition of legislation aimed at protecting the sanctity of the family and restricting so-called LGBT propaganda directed at minors.
This approach completely contradicts the principles and statements that have been disseminated for years by representatives of EU countries and high-ranking diplomats during numerous meetings with high-ranking clerics of the Georgian Orthodox Church. They have always clearly explained that Georgia's integration into European structures is not linked to promoting non-traditional lifestyles.
During meetings with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II (records of which exist), it was always explicitly stated that the Georgian people's will is to protect Christian and traditional family values. It was also stated that there would be no categorical demands or imposition of obligations contrary to our traditions on the path to the country's accession to Euro-structures.
His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II has repeatedly noted that the European choice can be realized under conditions where God-opposing teachings, such as the propaganda of non-traditional lifestyles, are not imposed. Against this background, the inclusion of provisions in the current European recommendations that directly or indirectly imply the abolition of laws protecting minors from LGBT propaganda causes great disappointment. It completely contradicts not only the teachings of God and the foundations of Christianity but also the oral and written promises repeatedly made in the past during relations with partner countries.
It is worth noting that at the time, the laws on family values and the protection of young people from the propaganda of non-traditional lifestyles were fully embraced by the religious community, and the Church expressed gratitude to the authorities. Even today, under current conditions, the religious community believes that these laws are entirely adequate for strengthening a healthy societal lifestyle.
Unfortunately, the latest EU recommendations now openly present a contradictory position between, on the one hand, supporting family traditions and protecting adolescents from LGBT propaganda, and on the other hand, the country's aspiration towards Europe. This is causing widespread disappointment among a significant portion of the Georgian population.
