Prominent Georgian trans model Kesaria Abramidze killed a day after Parliament passed anti-LGBTQ+ law

A prominent transgender model in Georgia was murdered a day after thegovernment passed legislation that would imposecurbs on LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Citing Georgia's interior ministry, a report by The Guardian on Thursday (Sept 19) said that 37-year-oldKesaria Abramidze was believed to have been stabbed to death at her apartment inTbilisi on Wednesday.

The report said that the man behind the attack had been arrested.Abramidze was one of Georgia's first openly trans public figures. Her death came after the government passed the controversial legislation on “family values and the protection of minors.”

Add WION as a Preferred Source

A look at the legislation

The "family values" legislation wouldallow officials to outlaw Pride events and censor films and books. It includes a banon same-sex marriages and gender-affirming treatments.

The law was approved by the Georgian Parliament on Tuesday. The Guardian report said that although the motive behind Abramidze's murder remained unclear,her death was swiftly cast by Georgian civil society as part of a state campaign against minorities in the country.

Criticism of the legislation

Critics (of the law) arguethat thebill, initially introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party in the summer, mirrors laws enacted in neighbouring Russia, where authorities have implemented a series of repressive anti-LGBTQ+ measures over the last 10 years.

Georgia has seen a rise in violence against the LGBTQ+ community under the leadership of the Georgian Dream Party. The introduction of the law comes just five weeks before parliamentary elections.

On Wednesday, Josep Borrell, the EU’s (European Union) top diplomat, called onGeorgiato withdraw the law, warning it would harm the country’s chances of joining the bloc.

(With inputs from agencies)