LocationsWalking towards equality
February 28, 2025
Liova Luzhanski walks across a street in Tbilisi.
“When I was learning to walk independently, the first step was the hardest, it felt terrifying. But once you take it, fear fades, and you just keep going,” says Liova Luzhanski, his warm smile lighting up his face.
Liova’s life is a story of resilience, courage and self-discovery. Born with a visual impairment and navigating the complexities of embracing his queer identity, he faces challenges with quiet determination, redefining what independence means on his own terms.
From his early years in coastal Batumi to transferring to the School for the Visually Impaired in Tbilisi, his passion for art and music, an internal struggle for self-acceptance, a public coming out, and a painful break with his family – each step has shaped Liova’s remarkable journey.
Life is never easy to navigate, and for those facing discrimination, the journey is even more challenging. As a society, we can collectively make this easier by taking responsibility for each other. The UN calls for equality under the law for all people everywhere, and its theme for this year’s Zero Discrimination Day is "We Stand Together".
“He is my friend. My friend Liova,” says Shorena Shavlakadze.
Shorena and Liova met at a training for people with disabilities. As a mother of a disabled son, Shorena understood the challenges Liova was facing and stood by his side. Their friendship became a source of strength and solace for both.
"We have the power to shape one another as individuals. Too often, we fear the wrong things, avoid the wrong things and think in the wrong way. I want us to listen – to our children and to one another," Shorena reflects.|
Through personal struggles and societal barriers, both Shorena and Liova have become advocates for inclusion and equality.
"Every person carries their own diversity. Some may not express it, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel it," says Shorena.
And Liova’s words echo hers: "I hope that one day, diversity will be seen as a natural part of society”.
Making space for others, especially those marginalized in societies, is not just about personal acceptance. Diversity and inclusion are integral to the Sustainable Development Goals, from individual goals to the entire framework, which emphasizes the need for equitable and inclusive approaches in all aspects of development.
Liova and Shorena’s journey is one of the many journeys that echo the call to stand together. Their connection and friendship remind us that overcoming bias and bridging divides are essential steps toward a more just and equitable world.
In Ajara’s highlands to the west, Grandma Maguli, her granddaughter Natia, and her niece Maia share a home, family and different religious beliefs. In their house, the Quran and Bible sit side by side, just as they celebrate both Easter and Bayram.
Is this a challenge or simply love and respect?
As Grandma Maguli puts it, "Some in our family remained Muslim, others leaned toward Christianity." But they love without condition.
"When you love someone, you love them as they are,” adds Maia.
To the east, in the picturesque village of Hokami, a mosque and a church stand side by side. Villagers Iasha and Zura are neighbours and friends for life. They celebrate each other's religious holidays and support one another through good times and bad—never letting ethnic and religious differences become barriers.
"One is Muslim, the other Christian, but in joy and sorrow, we stand together," Iasha says. "If only all people in Georgia could live the way we do in our village!"
These stories, part of the Bridging Voices campaign by Indigo Magazine in partnership with UNDP and Norway, showcase people reaching across cultural, ethnic and religious divides and overcoming differences in ability, background, and identity to find common ground.
Together, they weave a tapestry of compassion, respect and inclusion, shaping individual and societal choices, strengthening the ties of humanity and paving the way for more open, inclusive, and sustainable societies.
With US$3.6 million in funding from Norway the Leadership, Equality, Advocacy, Democracy (LEAD) project drives institutional, legislative, and societal change in Georgia. Through this initiative, UNDP and Norway partner to protect minority rights, combat discrimination, and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
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