Paata Sabelashvili, 32, the guy in a bright T-shirt and with a calm voice. He is communicable and polite person. At the first expression there is nothing strange that might attract the attention of society till they find out his sexual orientation.
Paata, is a director of Inclusive foundation in Tbilisi. This foundation publishes the first LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) informational magazine “Me” and promotes establishment of a society in Georgia, where sexual orientation and gender self-expression wouldn’t be a ground for discrimination.
“We promote equal rights and opportunities for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) group by organising trainings and meetings. We also promote healthy lifestyle among LGBT. Every time in our meeting take part almost 50-60 people. It’s really progress because most homosexuals hide themselves” says Paata.
One of the reasons for hiding themselves from society is being discriminated against by the same society.
“For instance if we decide to make an investigation on finding out the percentage of LGBT group in Georgia we will have really big troubles with police and so on” mentions Paata.
Paata Sabelashvili, 32, the guy in a bright T-shirt and with a calm voice. He is communicable and polite person. At the first expression there is nothing strange that might attract the attention of society till they find out his sexual orientation.
Paata, is a director of Inclusive foundation in Tbilisi. This foundation publishes the first LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) informational magazine “Me” and promotes establishment of a society in Georgia, where sexual orientation and gender self-expression wouldn’t be a ground for discrimination.
“We promote equal rights and opportunities for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) group by organising trainings and meetings. We also promote healthy lifestyle among LGBT. Every time in our meeting take part almost 50-60 people. It’s really progress because most homosexuals hide themselves” says Paata.
One of the reasons for hiding themselves from society is being discriminated against by the same society.
“For instance if we decide to make an investigation on finding out the percentage of LGBT group in Georgia we will have really big troubles with police and so on” mentions Paata.
Nika, 37, is transgender (she didn’t want her surname been mentioned). She wears male clothing and it’s hard to understand that she is a woman. Nika remembers when she was still a child her mother prepared for her girly dresses but she didn’t like them.
“Every morning before going to school I woke up earlier and changed my dresses to trousers. From my childhood I felt I have male soul and preferred girls. To make me accept that I’m a girl my father was beating me, but I couldn’t change me” says Nika.
Though Nika had to marry with a man because her parents made her. But then she decided to give up everything and live as she wanted.
“In Georgian society it’s a sin and a big shame. They are not ready to see next to them people with a different sexual orientation. I prefer to be blamed but live in harmony with my body and soul” says Nika.
David, 19, (didn’t want his surname to be mentioned) is homosexual. He says his rights are not protected here in Georgia. According to David, homosexuals cannot find job because of their sexual orientation. “It’s possible only if it’s a Non Governmental organization. The government really should take into consideration that besides ethnic, religion minorities there are other ones too”.
“There are no laws against LGBT discrimination. So if someone will beat me because of my orientation, I will not be able to appeal for the minority discrimination, I’ll have to complain just because of being abused” says David.
Another guy with the name Davit says it’s very important the function of media in this issue. “People are not informed about LGBT. They are afraid of talking or don’t talk about it at all” he says.
“Mass media doesn’t pay attention to us. They don’t cover this issue. The journalists prefer to write about famous people and celebrities and not about us. But their role is to inform people what is going on and open their eyes,” says Davit.
Director of Inclusive foundation, Paata Sabelashvili says that they are going to remake their foundation into association and continue fighting for their rights.