UNAIDS expressed “deep concern” Wednesday over Georgia’s newly adopted anti-LGBTQ+ law, saying that it could threaten progress made over the past decade to end AIDS in the former Soviet republic of 3.7 million people at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. 

The new legislation exacerbates stigma and hinders “LGBTQ+ people’s access to essential health services” which “undermines Georgia’s efforts to end AIDS and combat other infectious diseases,” said the UN agency in a press statement. 

UNAIDS has long called out the risk such legislation poses to public health efforts to control HIV and other infectious diseases – leaving at-risk groups even more reluctant to seek out health services for fear of stigmatization and even prosecution.

The UNAIDS comments echoed a statement issued by the UN Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights’ saying the new law will “impose discriminatory restrictions on education, public discussion, and gatherings related to sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Georgia’s new law on “family values and protection of minors”  bans Pride events and public displays, as well as censoring related films and books. 

It follows moves by several other European countries – including Hungary and Poland – to curb LGBTQ+ rights. Nearly a dozen African countries have criminalized LGBTQ+ relationships, with some instituting stiff penalties, including the death penalty or life in prison. 

Georgia’s move comes after a recent study from the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency, which found that 14% of people who identified as a sexual minority experienced some form of violence. 

While UNAIDS and other international organizations have decried such laws, they remain popular in socially conservative countries. A 2018 poll from the Washington DC-based National Democratic Institute suggested that only 23% of Georgians believe that protecting the rights of sexual minorities is important. Similarly, a 2022 poll suggested that only 0.99% of Georgians agree that homosexuality is “justifiable” compared to 62% of Canadians and 45% of Americans. 

Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation could “undermine” fight against infectious diseases

Georgia historically has reported low rates of HIV infections, with new infections concentrated in persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) and men who have sex with men (MSM). 

Yet its Georgia country report states that the prevalence of HIV – the number of people living with the disease – remains “alarmingly stable” at 21.5% for the MSM population, suggesting that the most at-risk groups still are not being reached. Worryingly, 36% of people living with HIV were not aware of their positive HIV status. 

Furthermore, the UNAIDS country report found that over 40% of Georgians believe that HIV positive children should attend schools with HIV negative children, noting:  “Stigma kills, but solidarity saves lives. Upholding the rights of LGBTQ+ people is crucial to advancing public health, social cohesion, and equality for all.”

Image Credits: Lydia Gall/ Human Rights Watch.