Georgian Church Activists Hold Mass Weddings, Countering International Anti-Homophobia Day

Clerics and supporters of the Orthodox Church of Georgia marched through Tbilisi and held mass weddings on May 17, marking the church’s Family Purity Day, which runs in opposition to the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.Family Purity Day was established by the Orthodox Church of Georgia in 2014 and is observed on May 17. UNESCO recognizes May 17 as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, created in 2004.An LGBTQIA rights group announced on May 16 that they would not hold planned events to mark the day, saying that “fascist” groups had mobilized against them.Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty told Storyful that about 25 to 30 far-right activists, some of whom had been involved in demonstrations where they pledged to fight “LGBT propaganda”, marched through Tbilisi on May 17. They can be seen in this footage marching and giving Nazi-style straight-arm salutes, after the 2’17’’ mark. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful