Tamar Iveri, the Georgian Opera singer who was dismissed by Opera Australia last month is set to host a charity event for the LGBTIQ community in her home country.
Opera Australia let the internationally acclaimed performer go after a huge social media backlash over homophobic comments the singer had posted to her Facebook page.
In a joint press conference with Georgian LGBTIQ rights group Identoba, Iveri said she would host a concert to benefit victims of violence on National Coming Out Day on October 11.
Last year the Georgian singer posted an open letter on her Facebook page where she described gay people as fecal masses and sexual deviants.
In the public letter the singer wrote to Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili following protests by LGBTIQ activists on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Iveri said she was proud that Georgian citizens had “spat at the parade”. It has been reported that many LGBTIQ activists were beaten by Orthodox Christian demonstrators.
‘‘Do not try to wrap this mass in beautiful packages, pour Chanel perfume on it and present it to people as if it was something of medical, recreational qualities,’’ she said in the letter.
‘‘No matter how unhappy ‘friendly West’ might become, fortunately, the Georgian people are well aware of what fruits, offered by the West in their menu, to eat and what to discard. Just like my small dog guesses it.’’
When concern was raised about the singer appearing with Opera Australia Iveri posted an apology to her Facebook page explaining that her highly religious husband was actually behind the post. Her story quickly unraveled through when it was revealed the singer had previously taken ownership of the comments.
Iveri told the press conference the new concert would be her way of apologising and making amends with the local LGBTIQ community.
OIP Staff
