U.S. Condemns May 17 Homophobic Violence in Tbilisi

The U.S. Department of State said it “condemns” the May 17 violence against an attempted anti-homophobia rally in downtown Tbilisi, saying that “such acts of intolerance have no place in democratic societies.”

“The United States places great importance on the protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons around the world,” Patrick Ventrell, acting deputy spokesperson of the Department of State, said at a news briefing on May 20, when asked to comment on the May 17 violence in Tbilisi.

Civil Georgia