The Rocky Horror Picture Show was made for misfits. It was made for outcasts, weirdos, and freaks and it does so in a way that is both humorous and empowering. This is a film that was ahead of its time in terms of its representation of LGBTQ+ characters. In the years since its release, TRHPS has become a cult classic, but the play has never been acted out on the Georgian stage.
Georgia has struggled to end discrimination against the LGBTQ+ communities, even though the country's parliament passed an anti-discrimination law that includes protections for gender identity and sexual orientation. Queer people living in Georgia know how hard it is to live a day-to-day life. They are often refused service by businesses and hospitals, bullied in schools, and harassed by the police or civilians, not to mention the more severe cases.
Despite all the challenges, the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia faces, It still tries to make a stand and fight back in a non-violent fashion, by organizing parties, theatrical plays, fashion shows, and such. Due to the relentless work of the community, there have been some advances in promoting acceptance, tolerance, and diversity. Queer party series "Horoom Nights" at the renowned Georgian club Bassiani, the first Georgian Drag Ball, the opening of the first Queer Bar "Succes", have all been major in tackling the problem of homophobia in Georgia.
By Staging the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Georgia, The community has the power to present themselves in a playful and entertaining manner, offering a new and positive outlook without encountering negative judgment. It’ll have a big cultural and social benefit by bringing polarized and divided people together. Most importantly, it brings opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to have a way of self-expression, another safe and inclusive place to celebrate their identities, and a meaningful source of income, which today in Georgia is so hard to come by because of the oppressed.