Georgia Gay Rights Rally Turns Violent After Religious Leaders Attack

A march for gay rights in Georgia's capital city Tbilisi erupted into chaos Thursday, when a few thousand anti-gay protesters stormed the demonstration, occupying the street where it was being held.

The protesters, including some Orthodox Christian priests and supporters, claimed that homosexuality goes against the traditional Christian values of the country's primary religion.

The protesters hurled slurs at gay activists, holding up signs that read, "We don't need Sodom and Gomorrah!" and "Democracy does not equal immorality!" Some brought sharp nettle plants, saying that would beat gay people with them.

Georgian officials had given clearance for the march that was supposed to signify the start of International Day Against Homophobia. They said that "all citizens, irrespective of their sexuality, [are] entitled to voice their views in public"-a rare occurrence for Tbilisi's customary conventions.

But the parade quickly derailed, as anti-gay rights demonstrators dealt blows to some of the participants, reported the AFP.

In spite of the numerous police officers keeping watch, many of the Orthodox demonstrators rushed barriers to chase away the somewhat small group of gay activists.

Authorities say some officers and journalists were hurt in the commotion.

Police surrounded the activists, ushering them away from the crowds and into buses transporting them out of the capital.

The next day, gay rights supporters joined up once more to rally for their rights. One person held up a sign that bore the image of Christ with the words, "Jesus is love."

"They can do what they like, but we're not going away," participant Natia Gvianishvili said. "We're here, we're out and we're proud."

Georgia, a socially conservative former Soviet state, still looks at homosexuality with a largely negative eye. Many members of the Orthodox Church have labeled gay people as an abomination, including priest Father Ioanne, who attended the protest in Freedom Square.

"The people do not want propaganda from minorities," he said. "When these people want to demonstrate then it becomes a problem."

Father David, another priest who was active in the organization of the anti-gay demonstration, said that the rally "insults people's traditions and national sentiments."

This is not the first time a march for gay rights has been compromised in Tbilisi: last year, another rally against homophobia resulted in violence.