Rights defenders urge Georgian authorities to solve the problems of LGBT community

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Bifobia, the People's Defender (Ombudsperson) of Georgia, Nino Lomzhariya, and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have treated the position of LGBT people in the country as depressing, and called on the authorities to support them.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2019, on the same International Day, LGBT activists refused from holding actions for risk of conflicts with LGBT opponents.

The idea to establish on May 17 the International Day Against Homophobia was suggested by the French writer and scholar, Louis-Georges Ten. On this day in 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) excluded homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses, the "calend.ru" writes.

Ms Lomzhariya has noted that in Georgia, violations of human rights because of people's sexual orientation are still a serious problem.

"The problems include employment difficulties, housing and food security and increased risks of violence. The social and economic needs of LGBT people are not included into the anti-crisis economic plan," she has complained.

According to Nino Lomzhariya, every year, it is increasingly difficult for members of the LGBT community to enjoy the freedoms of self-expression and assembly.

The coalition of Georgian NGOs has noted that LGBT people are facing hate crimes and domestic violence.