Name: Georgia
Alternative Names: Sakartvelo, Georgien, Géorgie
Initials: GEO
International Country Code: 995 (omit 0 from area codes)
International Access Code: 00
Location: South Caucasus
Time: GMT +3
Languages: Georgian, Russian
Area: 69,700 km²/ 26,911 sq mi.
Currency: 1 Lari (GEL) = 100 Tetri
Population: 4,001,300
Capital: Tbilisi (Tiflis)
Religions: Georgian Orthodox 84%, Muslim 9,9%, Armenian Apostolic 4%
Important Gay Cities: Tbilisi (Tiflis), Batumi
Climate: Moderate continental climate, hot summers, cool winters. In the mountains a continental climate with colder summers and winters. Subtropical by the seaside.


Georgia is a country where east meets west. The major cities continue to develop a gay scene that attracts an ever increasing number of tourists.
Georgia was the first country in South Caucasus to decriminalize Homosexuality when it joined Council of Europe. The age of consent is set at 16 years for both hetero- and homosexuals. Legislation does not contain discriminatory clauses, yet insufficient anti-discrimination legislation often creates gaps. Georgia also has the first LGBT organization in the region and is known as most open-minded country compared to other two in the region. However, Georgia, as a post communist, orthodox and very traditional society, is still not very open towards gays and lesbians. In the large urban societies homosexuality is better accepted than in the rural areas. Concept of guest in Georgian mentality, however, would provide for an exceptional attitude towards visitors whether gay or not. It is very convenient to hold hands in public and greet each other by kissing on chick once – this is very common in Georgia.

Although, a gay scene in the western sense of the word hardly exists, Tbilisi, the capital offers very diverse choice of places worth visiting. Perovskaia and Chardin areas of the capital offer vast number of places starting from very traditional Georgian to street-cafe, international ethnic or fusion ambiance.
It is very difficult to fine tune your gaydar in Tbilisi. People might be looking at you without any intention and not look at all when there are some strings attached. There are no official gay bars or clubs in Tbilisi. Tbilisi gays do not like to hang out in the places with frequent appearance of gays, one can see them in an upscale places of any profile.

Cruising in any sense, whether in Bar, bath or parks is considered a very bad tone by local community. Especially street/park cruising is very dangerous, this is where gays are exposed to most violence. New patrol police does not harass gays and in fact is very helpful and prompt in responding to violations. Drugs are illegal in Georgia.
Visitors still find it interesting to go to traditional Tbilisi sulphur spas in the heart of the old town called ‘abanotubani’ (abano – bathhouse in Georgian). It is a must to do and also quite cruisy by evenings. Local men go to shared sectors and cruise each other to leave together.
There is big number of Georgian fortune surfers in the web. Most of them though would hide their identities. It is always better to start communication some while before visiting the country.

Georgia is a country well worth visiting: the ancient culture has left its marks and Tbilisi has a vibrant night life. Countryside is very spectacular containing the almost all global climate zones in a country size of Ireland. By summers, whole country escapes to the Black see where town of Batumi becomes the summer gay capital of Caucasus. By winters many people visit Georgia’s very high profile ski resorts. In General, country is known as home to – the oldest winery tradition in the world, medicines (from Medea, Colchis princess), pheasant (first described in west Georgian town Phazisi), delicious food, Stalin, UNESCO world’s richest heritage of polyphonic songs, sparkling dances and highest human settlement in Europe.



National Gay Info
Name: Inclusive Foundation Web Resource
Email: Info@inclusive-foundation.org Homepage: www.inclusive-foundation.org
Commentary:
Web resource created by Georgian LGBT organization Inclusive Foundation. Provides information on status of LGBT, programmes implemented, services offered, hotline, surveys and other relevant information mostly bilingual (Georgian and English).
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Name: Gay.ge website
Email: gayge@gay.ge Homepage: gay.ge
Commentary:
Web resource supported by Georgian LGBT organization Inclusive Foundation. Provides information on major LGBT community issues, provides space for meeting and discussion forum also in English.
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National Publications

Name: "ME" Magazine
Email: info@ inclusive-foundation.org Homepage: www.inclusive-foundation.org/magazine
Commentary:
First Georgian LGBT quarterly magazine mostly in Georgian, has English resume. Provides information on human rights, health, art and culture and the main topics for the issue - coming out, lesbian and transgender issue, etc.


National Groups

Name: Inclusive Foundation
Location: Tbilisi
Phone: 32 20 66 55 Email: info@inclusive-foundation.org
Commentary:
The first openly LGBT rights organization in Georgia and in South Caucasus, ILGA member. Main areas of work is advocacy and lobbying information and public awareness campaigns, study and research, empowerment of LGBT community, HIV/AIDS and STI prevention.



Location: Batumi
Activity: Cruising
Commentary:
- Alley between boulevard and beach;
- Beach close to the lighthouse in pishcheviki area;
- Around old railway station;




Tbilisi

Bars

Name: Fashion TV Bar
Spartacus Codes: B d glm M MA
Street: 18, Rustaveli Avenue
Location: Tbilisi
Commentary: Brand bar of Fashion TV bar networks, attracts designers and artists, has fashion parties and fashion and perfume product presentations, owners and staff are friendly.

Name: Success
Spartacus Codes: B glm M MA r
Street: 3, Vashvlovanis Street
Location: Tbilisi
Description of Location: (In Perovskaia district)
Commentary: Once very stylish place, nowadays casual cruising bar, frequently visited by straight people.

Name: Unique
Spartacus Codes: B g m MA t
Street: 18, G.Akhvlediani Street
Location: Tbilisi
Postal Code: 0108
Phone: 93 53 83 Description of Location: (Former Perovskaia St.)
Commentary: DJ bar, with very friendly staff and visitors. Open until the early morning.


Cafes

Name: Cafe Cala
Spartacus Codes: B glm M MA s
Street: 8-10, Erekle II Street
Location: Tbilisi
Postal Code: 0107
Description of Location: (In Chardin area)
Commentary: Good Georgian food, many artistic people hanging out, live jazz performances, frequented by gay people.

Name: Le Cafe.
Spartacus Codes: B glm M MA
Street: 4, Vashlovani Street
Location: Tbilisi
Description of Location: (Opposite the Success bar in Perovskaia district)
Commentary: Quite place with European cuisine. Friendly staff.

Name: Rue Chardin 12
Spartacus Codes: B glm M MA
Street: 12, Chardin Street
Location: Tbilisi
Postal Code: 0108
Description of Location: (In old town Chardin area)
Commentary: One of the most popular dining out places. A place to sit and be seen in a heart of old town. The smallest street in Tbilisi is home for number of upscale places that attract many community people. One can also find many other cafes in this area.


Restaurants

Name: Meidani
Spartacus Codes: B M MA NG
Street: 2, Right Bank
Location: Tbilisi
Postal Code: 0108
Phone: 32 30 30 30 (reservations) Homepage: mgroup.ge Description of Location: (In Chardin area)
Commentary: Upscale restaurant, very friendly. Offers traditional and fusion cuisine. Has chillout section with Kalian.

Name: Kopala
Spartacus Codes: B M MA NG
Street: 8-10 Chekhov st. (On the left bank of old town)
Location: Tbilisi
Phone: (reservations) 995 32 77 55 20 Homepage: kopala.ge
Commentary:
Belleview terrace. Hotel restaurant with extensive menu and good service. Tarace offers one of the best views of old town

Saunas/Baths

Name: Coloured Bathhouse
Spartacus Codes: g MA MSG SA
Street: Square in front of the Sulphur Springs
Location: Tbilisi
Description of Location: (In Abanotubani (Bath district)
Opening hours: 10-20h
Commentary: Number of traditional bathhouses with natural sulphur spa. Traditional massage and scrub with traditional gloves (Kisa). Public section is very cruisy especially by evenings. People basically pick up each other and leave together. For more discreet acts one can rent a cubicle. Coloured baths were favourite of A. Pushkin and A. Dumas.


Fitness Studios

Name: Vake Fitness
Spartacus Codes: g MA SA SB SOL
Street: 49b, Chavchavadze Avenue
Location: Tbilisi
Homepage: vakefitness.ge
Commentary:
Huge fitness complex with gym, olympic swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnastics, solarium etc. Upscale workout place.


Hotels

Name: Sheraton Metekhi Palace
Spartacus Codes: AC B CC D H I M MA MSG NG OS PI SA WH WO
Street: 20, Telavi Street
Location: Tbilisi
Postal Code: 0119
Phone: 77 20 20 Fax: 77 21 20 Email: smpht@sheraton.com Homepage: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton Opening hours: All year
Commentary: Luxury hotel with 182 rooms with data port, safe, TV, phone, mini-bar and bathroom phone. Cruisy sauna.

Name: Marriott Tbilisi
Spartacus Codes: AC B CC D H I M MA MSG NG OS PI SA WH WO
Street: 13, Rustaveli Ave.
Location: Tbilisi
Phone: 77 92 00
Commentary: 5 stars Luxury hotel.


Cruising
Location: Tbilisi
Commentary:
-Underpass in front of the circus (dangerous)
-Rustaveli Ave. daytime cruising.