Tbilisi, Georgia — On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, prominent Georgian transgender model Kesaria Abramidze was found murdered in her apartment in suburban Tbilisi. Abramidze, 37, had been a leading figure in Georgia’s transgender and LGBTQ+ community, representing the country at the 2018 Miss Trans Star International pageant and amassing over 500,000 followers on Instagram. Local officials reported that she was believed to have been stabbed to death, with a suspect arrested shortly afterward.
Abramidze’s murder comes just one day after the Georgian government passed controversial legislation that imposes sweeping restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, raising fears that violence and discrimination against minorities could escalate further. The new law, passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in its third and final reading, bans same-sex marriages, gender-affirming treatments, and empowers officials to censor media, including films and books, on LGBTQ+ themes. The law also gives authorities the power to outlaw LGBTQ+ Pride events, significantly curbing the visibility of Georgia’s queer community.
Though police have not yet confirmed whether Abramidze’s murder was motivated by her gender identity, her death has been swiftly condemned by human rights groups. The Social Justice Center, a Tbilisi-based organization, linked her death to the government’s increasingly hostile stance towards the LGBTQ+ community.
“There is a direct correlation between the use of hate speech in politics and hate crimes,” … “It has been almost a year that the Georgian Dream government has been aggressively using homo/bi/transphobic language and cultivating it with mass propaganda means.”
The Social Justice Center group said in a statement
The Social Justice Center’s statement reflects a broader concern that the new law, which mirrors similar legislation in neighboring Russia, is creating a more dangerous environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Georgia. Critics argue that the legislation marks a troubling step away from democratic values, particularly as Georgia seeks membership in the European Union (EU). Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, urged the Georgian government to withdraw the law, warning that it would undermine the country’s bid to join the bloc. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Borrell said the legislation would “increase discrimination & stigmatisation.”
Michael Roth, the chair of the Bundestag foreign affairs committee in Germany, echoed Borrell’s sentiments, noting that Abramidze’s murder occurred just one day after the law was passed. “Those who sow hatred will reap violence,” Roth said, emphasizing the link between political rhetoric and the safety of marginalized communities.
Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community has faced growing challenges in recent years as conservative forces within the country gain influence. In July 2023, a large group of anti-LGBTQ+ protesters stormed a Pride festival in Tbilisi, forcing its cancellation. The Georgian Orthodox Church, which wields significant political and cultural influence, has long been a vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, frequently aligning with the Georgian Dream party’s push for “traditional family values.”
While President Salome Zourabichvili has positioned herself as a pro-Western figure and has been a strong advocate for Georgia’s EU integration, her ability to block the new legislation is limited. Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial, has expressed her intent to veto the law, but Georgian Dream and its allies control a majority in parliament and are expected to override the veto. Following Abramidze’s death, Zourabichvili took to Facebook, writing, “A terrible murder! The death of this beautiful young woman… should not be in vain!” She called the incident a “wake-up call” for Georgian society, urging citizens to reflect on the growing divisions.
The debate over LGBTQ+ rights has become a key issue in the lead-up to Georgia’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 2024. Many observers view the elections as a critical juncture in determining whether Georgia will maintain its trajectory towards closer integration with the West or pivot towards a more conservative, authoritarian alignment with Russia. Earlier this year, Georgian Dream pushed through a divisive “foreign influence” law, which critics argued was inspired by Russia’s restrictive policies on civil society organizations and media. The law sparked widespread protests and was ultimately withdrawn, but concerns about Georgia’s democratic backsliding remain.
Kesaria Abramidze’s death has underscored the tensions simmering beneath the surface of Georgia’s political landscape. As tributes pour in from her supporters, many are calling for justice not only for Abramidze but for the broader LGBTQ+ community in Georgia. “Kesaria was iconic! Provocative, wise, incredibly brave! A trailblazer for Georgia’s trans rights,” wrote Maia Otarashvili, a Georgian political scientist, on X.
Despite her murder, many activists vow to continue fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia, even as the legal and political landscape becomes more restrictive. Abramidze’s death is seen as both a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ people in Georgia and a potential rallying point for those determined to see the country move in a more progressive direction.
