International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia cancelled in Georgia following threats
The day aims to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations
By Steve Brown
LGBT activists in Georgia were forced to cancel any celebrations for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) citing security concerns.
May 17 marks the international day which aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.
However, the decision to cancel any celebrations in the Georgian city of Tbilisi came after far-right groups organised large homophobic rallies just last week.
The groups threatened to assault or kill anyone who came out to support LGBT+ people, Gay Star News reported.
Despite the cancellation, some activists vowed to go to the government’s Chancellery Building to celebrate the day.
A statement from the Equality Movement read: “Considering the real threats, we, the LGBT activists, made a very hard, mutual decision to give up our constitutional right to self-expression at this time and cancel the peaceful demonstration which was supposed to take place on May 17 at the Chancellery of the Georgian Government, in order not to support interested forces in making any disorder.”