Trans model stabbed to death in Georgia one day after lawmakers pass draconian anti-LGBTQ+ bill

A transgender model and popular influencer in the nation of Georgia was stabbed to death in her apartment in a “premeditated” attack, according to authorities, a day after Parliament passed a sweeping bill aimed at erasing LGBTQ+ identity in the former Soviet republic.

Kesaria Abramidze, 37, was killed in the knife attack on Wednesday, following the far-right Georgian Dream party’s winning vote on the bill modeled on Russia’s “gay propaganda” law.

Related:

Georgia approves “terrible” sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ legislation

The proposed measures are modeled on Vladimir Putin’s efforts to erase LGBTQ+ identity in Russia.

The law will provide a legal basis for Georgian authorities to outlaw Pride events, the rainbow flag, and public displays of affection, as well as impose censorship of films and books. It restates an existing ban on same-sex marriage and outlaws gender-affirming surgery in the country.

Global perspectives delivered right to your inbox

Our newsletter bridges borders to bring you LGBTQ+ news from around the world.

Daily

Weekly

Good News

Georgia already bans same-sex marriage and gay people adopting children.

One activist described the legislation as “the most terrible thing to happen to the LGBT community in Georgia.”

Abramidze made history as the first person to come out publicly in the country as transgender and represented Georgia at the Miss Trans Star International pageant in 2018. She had more than half a million followers on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kesaria Abramidze (@kesaria_official)

Georgian media reports that the police have arrested a 26-year-old male suspect in the killing, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs described as a “premeditated murder committed with particular cruelty and aggravating circumstances on gender grounds.” Abramidze suffered “multiple stab wounds” in the attack.

Georgia President Salome Zurabishvili, who opposed the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation passed by Parliament on Tuesday — but holds only ceremonial powers — condemned the “horrific murder” in a post to Facebook, saying “the tragedy must awaken Georgian society.”

Abramidze has been an outspoken critic of the government in the past.

“No to the femicide that has become so frequent in our country!” she posted earlier this year, according to Al Jazeera.

The model and actress was forced to flee the country in April, she said, following physical attacks from a former partner.

Per reports from local outlet Jam News, surveillance footage shows the murder suspect waiting for an elevator in Abramidze’s building and fleeing 15 minutes later down the stairs. Authorities say they’ve obtained the knife they believe was used in the killing.

Don't forget to share: