In the early morning of May 17, 2016 — the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) — police detained three activists on Rustaveli Avenue as they were painting a rainbow flag, the symbol of the LGBTQ movement, on the roadway with colored paint. The activists chose this form of “guerrilla” celebration after it became clear that the LGBTQ community could not safely mark the day in public.

Around 4 a.m., police also detained seven other activists near the Patriarchate while they were spray-painting stencils on nearby walls.

Most of the ten detained activists were charged under Articles 150 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code of Georgia — for “defacing the appearance of a self-governing unit” and “resisting the police.”

Later that day, members of the LGBTQ community, feminists, and friends of the detainees gathered in front of the Tbilisi City Court to protest.

The Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG), LGBT Georgia, Temida, Identoba, and the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) issued a joint statement calling on the government to protect LGBTQ rights, take effective measures against homophobic violence, and ensure freedom of expression for LGBTQ individuals.

Human rights organizations argued that the state’s response to crimes committed against LGBTQ people in recent years had been inadequate and failed to ensure equality and safety.