Contact information
Name:
Julie Katz
Phone:
610-330-5593
Email:
katzju@lafayette.edu
Categories:
When:
Monday, April 14, 2025 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Where:
Kirby 104
Presenter:
Tamar Jakeli '17
Price:
Free
Join us in welcoming Tamar Jakeli’17, activist and director of Tbilisi Pride, as she examines the erosion of democracy in Georgia and the rising threats to marginalized communities. Tamar will explore how authoritarian regimes exploit social divisions, particularly targeting LGBTQ+ individuals—to consolidate power and suppress progress.
She will draw from her firsthand experience leading protests, advocating for queer rights, and confronting state repression. Discussing the intersection of authoritarianism and social justice and will highlight the impact of election fraud, crackdowns on activists, and the weaponization of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in Georgia’s shifting political landscape.
While Tamar’s experiences in Georgia reflect the unique challenges of authoritarianism in Eastern Europe, her insights also serve as a cautionary tale for democracies worldwide. Growing political polarization, attacks on marginalized communities, and efforts to undermine democratic institutions echo similar tactics used to consolidate power.
Sponsored by:
International Affairs, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Russian and East European Studies, and the History Department