Georgia's parliament has approved a controversial bill on 'family values and the protection of minors' that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on same-sex marriage, adoptions by same-sex couples, and public displays of LGBTQ+ symbols. The legislation, which echoes similar laws in Russia, has been criticized by human rights groups and international bodies as a step backward for Georgia's EU accession aspirations. Georgian Dream party leaders argue the law is necessary to protect traditional values, but opponents, including President Salome Zourabichvili, who has vowed to veto it, see it as discriminatory and damaging to social cohesion. Despite the President's opposition, the ruling party has enough votes to override a veto. The bill follows a trend of legislation perceived as pro-Russian and anti-democratic, including the earlier 'foreign agents' law. Civil society groups fear the law will exacerbate the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community and hinder Georgia's integration with the European Union.