Dear friends,
Late last month, my good friends and colleagues Tornike and Levan were attacked by a group of strangers in Batumi, Georgia, just because they were walking down a street with transgender women.
Luckily, they thought, the police were quick to come to the scene. But to their horror, the police ALSO attacked my friends.
The police officers detained Tornike and Levan, kicking and dragging them to the police car. At the police station, they spewed homophobic slurs, demanded my friends take off all their clothing, and continued treating them violently and aggressively.
And now, Tornike and Levan have actually been charged with a fine for "hooliganism and civil disobedience."
Since 2014, all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity have been banned by law in Georgia. What happened to Tornike and Levan is illegal.
However, these protections are rarely enforced and all too often blatantly ignored, especially by police. Reportedly, at least 32% of LGBT people in Georgia have been a victim of physical violence. But most never notify the police because they're too afraid.
We've had enough. That's why my group – the Equality Movement – is teaming up with All Out to let the world know about the horrors we face. Both Tornike and Levan are a part of the Equality Movement and are determined to do everything they can to get justice.
If enough people like you speak out, we could finally provoke a response to years of abuse.
With a big enough international outcry, authorities here will be forced to actually follow the law and protect LGBT people from violence and discrimination.
Thanks for going All Out,
Giorgi Tabagari
Equality Movement Georgia
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