Georgian parliamentary speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, has signed an anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law after the country’s president refused to do so. The Russian-style legislation includes bans on same-sex marriage, gender-affirming care and depictions of LGBTQ+ identities in media, while also providing a legal basis for authorities to outlaw Pride events and displays of the rainbow flag.

In a Facebook post published on Thursday, October 3, Papuashvili confirmed that he signed the bill, saying that it does “not reflect current, temporary, changing ideas and ideologies, but is based on common sense, historical experience and centuries-old Christian, Georgian and European values.” He also claimed that the law “protects the rights of all citizens, including freedom of expression, so that the rights of others are not violated, which is the essence and idea of true democracy.”

Meanwhile, speaking about the legislation last month, Director of Tbilisi Pride Tamara Jakeli told Reuters it “is the most terrible thing to happen to the LGBT community”.

She added: “We will most likely have to shut down. There is no way for us to continue functioning.”

The bill was first introduced by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, earlier this year and passed by parliament on September 17 with 84 out of 150 members voting in favour. It was then sent to President Salome Zourabichvili for approval, but as someone who is critical of the ruling party and has a pro-EU stance, she refused to sign it. Thus, the bill was returned to parliament, where the ruling party and its allies have enough seats to override her, as the president’s powers are mostly ceremonial.

The passing of this anti-LGBTQ+ law comes ahead of October’s elections, where Georgian Dream is seeking a fourth term in office. The party’s campaign has heavily focused on cracking down on LGBTQ+ rights in a supposed effort to protect “traditional values”, a strategy which many suspect aims to increase support among conservative voters.

It is also reminiscent of methods used in Russia, as Georgian Dream continues to deepen its ties with the Kremlin. Earlier this year, an anti-NGO law on “foreign agents” was passed, triggering mass anti-government protests around the country.