It examines the geopolitical position of the GOC through the discourses used and inspects intersections with the discourses of the far-right groups regarding LGBTQ equality. As the research indicated, regarding LGBTQ rights, the GOC used the same discourse as Russia.
Introduction
Problem Statement
The GOC is a highly trusted institution in Georgia, and its leader, Patriarch Ilia II, is a highly respected leader among the population. In general, the GOC is a conservative institution that has a significant presence in the country, and many people in Georgia consider religion and Christianity to be an inherent part of their identity.
Research Aim and Questions
By incorporating these theories and relevant literature into research, a more comprehensive analysis of the role of GOC in perpetuating discrimination against the LGBTQ community can be achieved. Examining the discourse of the CQH and understanding it is also important to develop strategies to promote dialogue.
Background and Literature review
- The rise of power of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the 90ies
- Religious Nationalism in Georgia
- Georgian Nationalism and Far-right Groups
- The Georgian Orthodox Church About LGBTQ Rights
The special role of the GOC in Georgian history is recognized at the constitutional level. There is a lack of literature on the intersection of GOC and far-right nationalist groups' discourse on LGBTQ rights.
Human rights perspective
LGBTQ Rights as Human Rights
The UN Human Rights Committee asserts protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation with reference to Articles 2.1 and 26 of ICCPR. Similarly, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) determined in its General Comment No 4 of 2003 that the grounds prohibiting discrimination include sexual orientation (O'Flaherty and Fisher, 2008).
LGBTQ rights in Georgian Legislation and Reality
The purpose of the conference was to address the issue of the absence of LGBTQ rights in international human rights law (Janoff, 2022b). The survey "Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Discrimination in Georgia: Attitudes and Awareness" conducted by the Council of Europe showed that, compared to other minority groups, protecting the rights of LGBTQ people was the least important (only 33% of the population found protecting LGBTQ) rights very important or important) (Council of Europe, 2018). Protection of LGBTQ rights is perceived as a violation of the rights of the majority, against traditions and religion, and even something forced by Western organizations and governments.
In 2013, the “first progress report on the initial progress of Georgia's implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan” issued by the European Commission recommended the adoption of anti-discrimination law (European Commission, 2013). Concerns regarding violations of the rights of the LGBTQ community have also been expressed in reports by international organizations.
Conceptual Framework
Intersection of Nationalism and sexuality
19 Queer theorists argued that the emergence of new forms of sexuality undermines the traditional notion of national identity and is seen as a threat (Stychin, 1998; Binnie, 2004). Joane Nagel investigates how masculinity, nationalism and the creation of national identity are linked in her article Masculinity and Nationalism: Gender and Sexuality in the Making of Nations. The author claims that the idea of nationhood and the concept of masculinity are inextricably linked and that the development of national identity often rests on gendered and sexual ideas of belonging.
She then examines how gendered and sexualized ideas of national identity are used to exclude certain groups of people from the nation, and how masculinity and femininity are often used to define the borders of the nation. Nationalism works by excluding "others" who do not conform to the parameters of a national identity created around a particular set of values, culture and history.
Politics of Sexual Identity and Geopolitics
21 The Russian Federation promotes networks by promoting “traditional values” and “family protection” over gender rights (Symons and Altman, 2015). It is important to understand the extent of the influence of religious organizations and the reasons for it. Ayoub (2014) theorizes that religion contributes to resistance to LGBTQ rights where “its moral authority is historically embedded in the popular idea of the nation” (2014, p. 338).
The author studies the example of the Polish Catholic Church, which made itself a symbol of the nation. The study found that views of the population (regardless of whether they actively go to church or not) regarding homosexuality are strongly linked to religious authority in Romania, where the Church has been able to gain credibility over the years.
Politics of Emotions
By using European institutions and mechanisms, which often support the idea that Eastern Europe is backward and unbearable, this 'other-thinking' of Eastern Europe is maintained. For example, homophobia is presented as an “Eastern” issue that must be eliminated, while Western countries are presented as progressive and tolerant.
Methods
Critical Discourse Analysis
24 is one of the most popular and influential organizations in the country and has a significant influence on public opinion, I believe that Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is the most appropriate analytical tool for the study. The CDA is interested in the interaction between language and power. Therefore, language alone is not powerful, but becomes a source of power when used by the powerful (Weiss and Wodak, 2003). For the first layer of the text, I analyzed the statements of the GOC, some members of the GOC and extreme right-wing groups.
The third layer of CDA's social practice refers to the “different levels of social organization – situational context, institutional context, and the wider social context or “cultural context” (p. 95). At the same time, this layer is difficult to explore in the current study, as the research questions are limited to examining the discourses of the church and do not include examining its effects on the LGBTQ community.
Data Collection
I decided to study the official statements of the Chinese government as well as the statements of high clerics of the Church. In addition to these four events, the discourses of the Chinese government and members on how they situate the West in LGBTQ rights statements will be shown and analyzed. Currency refers to the time frame of the information - the time it was published, if it was updated.
The data mainly consists of the description of the facts and the public statements of the CEC and the extreme right groups around it. 26 of KOK and extreme right groups, therefore it is implied that the collected data are opinions and views.
Ethical Considerations and Reflexivity
Therefore, the arguments in the analysis also partly reflect the knowledge from the previous chapter.
Findings and Analysis
Pride Marches of 2012 and 2013
Mainstream media began to cover and discuss LGBTQ issues, and the event sparked much media discussion about traditional values, human rights, the virtue of occupying public space, and the "dangers" of the gay pride march. The Orthodox Church, on the other hand, started warning people about the impending gay plague. He also stated that it was a violation of the rights of the majority (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2013b).
The IDAHOT rally was scheduled for 1:00 PM in front of the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, but as opponents occupied the area, around 50 LGBTQ activists gathered near Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue (Civil Georgia, 2013d). In the assessment of the event, they found that the police were not prepared and did not protect the right to freedom of assembly and expression of LGBTQ activists.
Adoption of Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in 2014
The discourse of the CC about the adoption of the anti-discrimination law was exposed in several interesting topics. While emphasizing the diversity of the European Union and the acceptance of other cultures and customs, the KOK claimed that these values were violated by the provisions of the anti-discrimination law. The proposal was supported by KOK, stating that it was in the interest of the majority of Georgians (Tabula.Ge, 2016).
Church discourse further marginalized same-sex relationships by presenting an exclusive definition of marriage as the one in the interests of the majority of Georgians. Again, the church speaks on behalf of the majority of Georgians, equating Christianity and Georgians.
And Then We Danced
The GOC's heteronormative and heterosexist ideals are supported by this rhetoric, which maintains a sense of moral unity of the nation. The premiere of the movie was planned for November 8, 2019 in Tbilisi, far-right groups announced mobilization to disrupt the screening (Civil Georgia, 2019c). On the evening of November 8, opponents of the movie tried to break into the police cordon outside the cinema.
Despite the obstacles, the film was still premiered and the police were able to guarantee the safety of the viewers. Another well-known opponent of the film, Levan Vasadze, fueled nationalism by portraying the Georgian national dance as a representation of manliness, warrior spirit and purity.
Pride March of 2021
35 The statement noted that holding the march violated the rights and freedoms of the absolute majority of society. Police officers were mobilized near the event, while far-right groups gathered to disrupt the event. Police were able to escort event participants through a cordon safely and administratively detained members of violent groups (Georgian Young Lawyer's Association, 2021).
Opponents of Tbilisi Pride also tore down the EU flag, which was placed in front of the parliament, and raised a cross instead (Interpressnews.ge, 2021b). Based on that principle, the Church transferred the responsibility for the arrangements to the organizers of the Pride March.
Mapping the Discourses
- Threat to the Nation
- Discourse regarding the EU and geopolitical position of the Georgian Orthodox
Unfortunately, these discourses result in the spread of prejudice against LGBTQ rights and community and oppress one of the most vulnerable groups in the county. Tolkachev and Tolordava (2020) also point out that some members of the Church portray Georgia's desire to join NATO and the EU as a danger to Georgian identity. It could be argued that the statements of these Church members are only their individual opinions.
He issues a warning that LGBTQ groups and exposes minors to LGBTQ rights claiming that this would harm the conscience of the next generation. Georgia applied to join the EU on March 22, along with Moldova and Ukraine.
Situating Far-right Groups
The next parliamentary elections will be held in 2024, and there is currently no information on whether any of the far-right groups intend to participate. One possible explanation for this could be that, as in all events, the Church and far-right groups were present, but in reality people are responding to discourses about protecting tradition, religion and family values when it is supported by the Chinese government. In order to protect the country from perceived threats to traditional values and cultural norms, particularly regarding LGBTQ rights, the far right aligns itself with the discourse of the church.
It is interesting that the GOC portrays Georgian values as Christian, and these two are used as synonyms in the patriarch's and cleric's statements. For further research: The research showed a contradictory and vague attitude on the part of the GOC towards the EU. European Commission (2013) First Progress Report on Georgia's Implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan.
Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/georgia-should-ensure-effective-implementation-of-the-anti-discrimination-legislation-and-improve-protection-of-human - rights-in-the-labour-a (Visit: 22 May 2023).
