Georgia’s parliament on Thursday gave its initial approval to a set of bills containing sweeping curbs on LGBT rights, including bans on the “propaganda” of same-sex relationships and gender reassignment surgery. The package, which was proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party and which could outlaw Pride events and public displays of the LGBT rainbow flag, was approved by a majority of deputies. It must pass two more readings before becoming law. Parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili said earlier this month that lawmakers would only vote on the bills’ second and third readings during the autumn parliamentary session, in the immediate run-up to a general election scheduled for Oct. 26.