Xenophobia

Politicians

Media

Georgia and World, June 20,
Beso Barbakadze, journalist: “Migration rates are increasing on a yearly basis; Georgians are leaving Georgia and foreigners are arriving instead; and while Georgians are staying abroad, foreigners are gaining their foothold in Georgia with no intention to leave the country. It creates a huge problem and this problem is so serious that it has reduced number of Georgians 11 years earlier than anticipated.”  

Obieqtivi, Gamis Studia, June 8
Gia Areshidze, host: “We can no longer give birth to children; so, we have joined the nations who have entered on the path of extinction. If we continue this way, the village is dusky so far (a fragment of a Georgian song), but instead of swaying grass on our ruined houses, aliens will be swaying and flourishing here.” 

Asaval-Dasavali, June 3-9
Giorgi Gigauri, journalist: “Shortly speaking, if Azerbaijan continues maintaining its position of stubbornness in such “a friendly” manner and grabbing our holy lands soaked with the martyr blood of our 6,000 monks from Gareji, then we should tell our sweet neighbors simply: “Georgia will start boycotting of all agricultural products grown by the Azerbaijanis living in Kvemo Kartli region! Not a single Georgian will buy even a bunch of coriander from them! Moreover, we will treat the Azerbaijanis living in Kvemo Kartli exactly like the Azerbaijani government treats the Ingiloys! We will not issue birth certificates to newborns unless they have Georgian names and surnames! Those who do not agree can leave for Baku!”   

Society

Georgia and World, June 12,
Guram Kartvelishvili, historian: “Recently, we held a protest rally outside the Embassy of Iran and everyone sees that the Iranians’ impudence has been somehow curbed. Georgia is the Promised Land for Iranians; they have been trying to gain foothold here for centuries; our country is a golden land for them, as for many other countries. The Iranians entered Georgia thanks to our government and purchased hundreds of thousands of apartments here; they are behaving impudently, humiliating us, making impudent statements; they even did not have a Georgian language inscription on the wall of the Embassy, but we managed to curb them.” 

Turkophobia

Politicians

Obieqtivi, Dgis Bolos, June 24
Davit Tarkhan-Mouravi, Alliance of Patriots: “Russia has occupied 20%, more exactly 22% of our territories… Turkey has occupied 33% and why do not you talk out; entire Adjara has been occupied by the Turks… Why do not you say that Turkey is an occupier? Is not it an occupier? They have deprived half a million of people, who call themselves Georgians, of language, religion, and why do not you protect them, or are they betrayers only because they live in Turkey? Is not the Persian Empire an occupier? Everyone around us is an occupier.”

Media

Georgia and World, June 20 
Beso Barbakadze, journalist: “When we say that the key of Abkhazia and Samachablo is kept in Moscow, should not anyone go to bring this key? If not, Turkish officials are already saying: Batumi belongs to us; so, let us wrap up their feet warmly to protect them against Batumi humidity.”

Society

Alia, June 3-9
Lela Mikeladze, businesswoman: “I have met so many girls in Batumi who live with a Turk and have left a child in Tbilisi. I cannot judge their behaviors, but I will say one thing – how can you, young men, let such girls give birth to children; how can mother leave a child and live with a certain Turk…” 

Rustavi 2, Kurieri, June 19
A resident of Kobuleti: “I understand that it is equality, I understand, but the Turks are taking control of our homeland, our land, why? Are not we Georgians? We should defend the purity of our family! This is how I understand it. We will not allow it. No matter what Europe says; Georgian nation is what really matters to me. I am Georgian and I should defend my sanctities, my homeland and language!” 

Islamophobia

Society

Alia, June 24-30
Guram Kartvelishvili, historian: “You [young people] do not worry about Islamization in the country; you do not worry about an awful quality of education… You believe that resettlement of refugees from Islamic countries and abandoning the country by Georgians is a normal process.   You welcome transfer of lands to foreign nationals; you suppose that persecution of Georgian culture and swearing at the church is a progress; you have replaced Georgian state thinking by Singaporean one and consider yourselves patriots… But, it makes no sense, you cannot understand anything; you will understand this truth only after years, when you will have to live in Islamic Singapore built with your help, where a hunt for Georgians will be announced.” 

Discrimination on religious grounds

Media

Georgia and World, June 12 
Davit Mkheidze, author: “Other confessions”, as a rule, mean not the so called traditional confessions (Islam, Judaism, Catholicism), but Satanist sects; years ago I united them under a common name – Khlysts-Budara-Budarikha and just one Budarikha, bishop of the Baptist Church, reproached Salome Zourabichvili: ‘you’d better congratulate Adjarian Muslims, who failed to build a mosque in Batumi, on Nowruz, instead of your populism with a grapevine cross’. It may not be an exact quote, but this is the content of what the female bishop said. Although, they failed to build a mosque after the name of Sultan Aziziye, reportedly, there are more mosques in Adjara and the rest of Georgia than in Azerbaijan.” 

Society

Marshalpress, June 19
Merab Shatirishvili, writer: “You do not know how dangerously the Jehovah’s opportunities have increased in this “calmness”, how many centers and how many “assemblies” they have; their number is increasing on a daily basis; they have translated the bible “remixed” by them in Mingrelian and Svan languages and are now spreading it; they have grown up on 3+9 and are still growing up; just keep silent and do not talk nonsense…” Facebook

Homophobia

Politicians

Imedi, Pirispir, June 20
Irakli Garibashvili, Georgian Dream: “…You know that despite numerous attempts by the government, despite our calls, holding this LGBT pride parade still remains on the agenda… representatives of the minority group are directly linked to the leaders of the National Movement; so, I am not saying it accidentally; this is a well-thought-out provocation and the government needs to give a dignified answer to it. Despite our numerous calls to these people, they are still claiming that they will come out and hold this, I would say, provocative march and dignity has nothing to do with this march. I call on the representatives of this minority group not to irritate the remaining members of the society, the members of the majority, because in fact, they face no problems in Georgia… So, I would say that it is a fabricated provocation, yet another provocation which has been plotted… by the National Movement and particularly, by their leaders against our state.”

(0:30:05)  

Marshalpress, June 17
Irma Inashvili, Alliance of Patriots of Georgia: “We are witnessing huge anxiety within the Orthodox parish, because there are frequent cases, when LGBT groups are openly oppressing the majority groups on all fronts. An attack is currently underway against Orthodoxy and the Church, open attacks against the Patriarch just from these groups.” Imedi 

Asaval-Dasavali, June 24-30
Nino Burjanadze, Democratic Movement – United Georgia: “I can say for sure that a gay pride parade must not be held in Georgia and we must not allow propagandizing the rule of their life.” Interpressnews 

Imedi, Pirispir, June 18,
Giorgi Akhvledian, Democratic Movement – United Georgia: “Imedi TV, Rustavi 2 TV, Channel One - why do not our TV channels air porno films between heterosexuals during a day or in the evening or at night? Because it is depravity and depravity is punishable and a TV channel will be deprived of its license. The same should happen in case of same-sex relations and any talks that relationship between men is a norm should be banned by law. Like pornography should not be aired by TV channels, your speeches and your propaganda should not be aired either. But instead, all TV channels are claiming today that sexual intercourse between men is a norm in our country; it is not a norm and it will be banned; however, the national government is needed for it… no heterosexual pornographic marches, demonstrations and propaganda are needed – neither heterosexual, nor homosexual.”

 (0:43:50- 0:45:55)

Interpressnews, June 18 
Levan Chachua, Georgian Idea: “This is a challenge and we accepted this challenge. They will not be able to hold any event within the framework of Tbilisi Pride. We will use all methods and will not let them hold it. No propaganda of homosexuality will be carried out in Georgia and some bastards will not be able to earn money from it. The police cordon will not be broken; we will not let them hold it!” 

Media

Obieqtivi, Okros Kveta, June 22, 
Valeri Kvaratskhelia, host: “Homosexuality is not an initiative to help the people burdened with this problem. What is happening in respect of these people is creation of a new ideology; it is an ideology of depravity, an ideology of poisoning the consciousness and like drug abuse is used as the tool to make people, nations, states obey you, similarly homosexuality is used for the same purpose and this is the entire misfortune. Do you, the Georgian people, know it? Of course, you know! A part cannot understand it; another part has yielded to the propaganda unleashed from all TV channels during 24 hours; but a part of the society understands that it is a great misfortune for the people, nation, society and public consciousness.” 

Asaval-Dasavali, June 3-9
Giorgi Gigauri, journalist: “Most important is that this most depraved gay pride will not be held in Georgia and it is a matter for congratulation! Yes, like Asaval-Dasavali promised you, no LGBT festival and gay pride parades will be held in Georgia!.. And here is the result – the fact that the Interior Ministry fails to guarantee safety of LGBT sect from Georgian people means that the Interior Ministry rejected LGBT sect’s request for holding a gay pride!.. Yes, the Georgian government should choose – either kind attitude of pederasts, or a rebellion by Georgian people! There is no other choice! Tens of thousands of Georgians should gather on Rustaveli Avenue on June 18-23 and show the world that pederasty will never feel comfortable in Georgia.”    

Georgia and World, June 11,
Beso Barbakadze, journalist: “Whether they like it or not, we should say that the majority of Georgian population consider promoting the LGBT community to be a propaganda of depraved actions. This is how it is seen at this moment – it is ruled out that the society will accept and tolerate it.” 

Civil society organizations

Marshalpress, June 29
Sandro Bregadze, Georgian March: “Why is Gakharia being punished? It is clear that rubber bullets are simply a pretext and the real reason is that he twice rejected holding of a gay pride parade!!! Yes, homosexuals, organizers of gay pride, those people, who are doing their utmost to hold a gay pride, are now trying to punish Gakharia!!! It is known psychologically that LGBT people are the cruelest and pitiless people who do not show mercy to anyone and do their best to destruct a targeted enemy!!! They believe that Gakharia’s punishment will serve as an example for all subsequent interior ministers so that they never dare to refuse holding a gay pride in the future!!! The situation is quite simple – in case of Gakharia’s defeat, homosexuals will win. In case of Gakharia’s victory, homosexuals will be defeated!!!” Social network 

Interpressnews, June 18
Guram Palavandishvili, Union of Orthodox Parents: “We are observing law and police are promoting propaganda of depravity. Police are going beyond the constitutional framework. If it is depravity, then police should prevent its propaganda. We plan to create a cordon in front of their rally. We will be standing with bare hands. If the government dares to kill the people standing with bare hands, it will be on its conscience.”   

Imedi, Kronika, June 18
Gia Korkotashvili, Georgian Mission: “I fully agree with [Levan] Vasadze’s opinions. Some media outlets want to see something new, as if they are ready for confrontation, as if some formations have been established; simply, it is a gathering of people, who do not want to tolerate LGBT propaganda in my beloved Orthodox country.”   (20:05) 

Georgia and World, June 5,
Dimitri Lortkipanidze, Primakov Georgian-Russian Public Center: “As far as the confrontation is concerned, some representatives of LGBT community are already claiming that they do not intend to step back and will protect their rights at any price. All these create a precondition for their revanche in June, after their May 17 event had been thwarted, because Georgian people will never accept and will never tolerate propaganda of homosexuality.” 

Clerics

Rustavi 2, Kurieri, June 17
Bishop Giorgi of Marneuli and Hujabi: “I call on my parish, particularly, the men, for whom God, homeland and human dignity represent the key values, to join the movement launched by Levan Vasadze, which aims at curbing Sodomist movement in our country.” 

Society

Marshalpress, June 15
Levan Vasadze, businessman: “We will not let you place cordons. Wherever they will gather, at the cinemas, in the parks or forests, we will call on them, break all cordons and wash them away. We will agree tomorrow on how to do it… If we let these dirty people, including politicians, hold any public event next week, we will have to say goodbye to any perspectives of reconciliation with our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers… We will have to say goodbye to the Georgian statehood. Ultimately, they will achieve their goal and Georgia will no longer exist. We will not allow it.” 

Interpressnews, June 17
Davit Tsintskiladze, defense lawyer: “I also think that it is a true opinion that pride parades of liberasts, Satanists and homosexuals should not be held in Georgia. These people have united in this group as volunteers against all these. We have not created either armed, or bandit organization.”

Anti-western sentiments

Politicians

Imedi, Pirispir, June 18 
Kakha Kukava, Free Georgia: “Any sociologist will tell you that after each such polemic, when it appears that the British Ambassador or other foreign ambassadors demand holding of gay pride parades, and you blame Putin, though I do not know whether it is so… but after each such polemic, number of people with anti-western sentiments increases in Georgia. In my opinion, there will not be even a single person, who will say that gay prides are good and let’s join NATO… ”

Imedi, Kronika, June 17
Emzar Kvitsiani, Alliance of Patriots of Georgia: “The constitution envisages that you should not go against your people. The constitution envisages that people can stage a revolt if the government does not behave correctly, if the government betrays people. This gathering is just planned to avoid it. I support the idea that foreign special services should not hold a pride in our country. I am Georgian and I want to have a Georgian life. Do not impose it on me.” 

Interpressnews, June 17
Levan Chachua, Georgian Idea: “I know one thing for sure – we will not let them hold gay prides in this country, no matter whether they will arrest or shoot us. Everyone, including the embassy representatives, who want confrontation between Georgian people and law enforcers, knew about it. We understand it.” 

Media

Georgia and World, June 5
Jaba Zhvania, journalist: “The Sodomists furious with the [Interior Ministry’s] statement did not listen to a kind advice and expressed anger in the media last week. Their remarks contained open threats and finger-wagging that they will not forgive the government “this cynicism” and will soon apply to the Strasbourg court for assistance. Shortly speaking, the universal liberal noise and hysteria once again “shook” the country and showed the “democratic” West the need for allocating more grants. What kind of punitive measure will be taken by Europe because the government cannot assume the responsibility for safety of the first Caucasian gay pride and what particular steps will the government have to take in the near future to rectify “this mistake?” 

Civil society organizations

Alia, June 17-23
Sandro Bregadze, Georgian March: “I state with full responsibility that even if we, the members of Georgian March, have to sacrifice ourselves, we will not allow holding a gay pride parade… This country is full of betrayers who are trying to shake the Georgian statehood. Among them are organizers of gay prides and their dedicated supporters. It is a masterminded provocation, which is orchestrated by an invisible hand from abroad.”

Clerics

Interpressnews, June 18
Davit Nozadze, archpriest: “They do not care whether there are victims and whether one or two persons die. When the embassies saw that the church was steadily maintaining its position and that the government was saying that they would not protect them, they ordered them [LGBT people] to sit down on the stairs outside the government’s administration. I think that these people are ashamed of being such, but they are forced to act this way; the embassies and non-government organizations, especially the embassies, because NGOs are also ruled by the embassies, are doing it. Where do our NGOs receive funding from? Just from those countries, who compel them to act this way. Where is our sovereignty? I sincerely want to ask you: you did not like red terror, so you should not like blue terror either. Does it matter whether you are persecuted in the name of communism or liberal values?”

Asaval-Dasavali, June 24-30
Kristepore Tsamaladze, Metropolitan: “Those, who give instructions to these depraved Sodomists and supply them with grants and money, use them for humiliating dignity of Georgians and generally, indigenous Caucasians! Therefore, I call on real Caucasians: brother Chechens, Abkhazians, Ossetians, Avars, Circassians, Balkars, Ingushians, Kabardians and Albanians, not only the fate of Georgia, but also the fate of entire Caucasus is being solved in the streets of Tbilisi today! Stand beside us and let’s stop this dark, depraved force; otherwise, if homosexuals and depraved people make Georgia kneel, Sodomists will knock at your doors too and will deprave your cities and villages as well!” 

Society

Alia, June 3-9
Mikheil Metreveli, civil rights activist: “Excuse me, but I am already fed up, damn your Europe! They are insistently demanding us to hold a gay pride parade in Georgia and legalize same-sex marriage! We want to return our territories peacefully and what should we say to Ossetians that we will live in the integrated state and offer them same-sex marriages and gay prides?!”  

Georgia and World, June 12
Guram Kartvelishvili, historian: “In what did the United States help Georgia – in funding LGBT people or NGOs, who are destructing our country? Can anyone tell me how they assist us? Did they build our agriculture? Were the transferred grants spend for the benefit of our people? The governments, from Shevardnadze’s period to present, have eaten everything. If anything came from the United States, it is only anti-Georgian propaganda and purposeful actions aimed at destructing Georgia. The U.S. Embassy representatives are like Arab emirs in Georgia; they are continuing the deeds launched by our archenemies.”