The Role of The Georgian Orthodox Church in Resistance to LGBTQ Equality: Examining Discourses and Geopolitical Implications

Abstract

This thesis examines the discourses employed by the Georgian Orthodox Church's (GOC) regarding LGBTQ rights. It explores the geopolitical position of the GOC through the discourses utilised and inspects intersections with the discourses of the far-right groups in relation to LGBTQ equality. Through qualitative research using critical discourse analysis, the study uncovers the dynamics of the GOC’s rhetoric. By referring to the theories about nationalism, sexuality and geopolitics and their intersection comprehensive analysis of the GOC’s discourses is achieved. The research showed that the GOC uses the discourse of religious nationalism by establishing a strong link between being Georgian and being an Orthodox Christian and portrays LGBTQ equality as a threat to Georgian traditions. It also utilises concepts discussed in relation to human rights which allows the GOC to present its discourses in the broader framework of cultural relativism and implies that it does not discriminate against LGBTQ people, but rather defends traditional values and interests of the majority. Far-right groups have adopted the same discourse as the Church and reject the idea of LGBTQ as something forced from the West. In this regard, the Georgian far-right is no different from worldwide populist tactic to defend traditional values from the West. As the research indicated, regarding LGBTQ rights the GOC has employed the similar discourse as Russia. Far-right groups employ the same religious nationalistic discourse and they oppose EU integration referring to it as a threat to Georgian identity.