On September 4, a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed its second reading in the Georgian Parliament. The bill “On family values and protection of minors” starkly resembles the Russian anti-queer law adopted in 2013, making it Georgia’s second piece of major legislation modeled after draconian Russian laws, with the first being the foreign agent bill, which passed in May 2024. According to reports by local media, the bill is set for final approval in the third hearing scheduled for the week of September 17. On October 26, Georgia will hold parliamentary elections, and in the leadup to the vote, the ruling Georgian Dream Party is weaponizing homophobia as one of its campaign strategies.