The Impact of Protest and Counter-Protest Interactions on Public Opinion: Reactions to LGBTQ Rights Activism in Georgian Society

Abstract

This research aims to explore individual-level reactions to protest and counter-protest interactions in Georgia. Since gaining independence, societal polarization has been a defining aspect of Georgian society. While earlier divisions centered around government support, recent issues—such as LGBTQ rights—have intensified both protests and counter-protests. The literature has documented the dynamics of protests and counter-protests in various contexts, highlighting their impact on each other and on public discourse. However, the influence of these dynamics on public support—particularly through the lens of emotional and cognitive shifts—remains relatively unexplored, especially in the Georgian context. Based on 66 in-depth interviews, this article examines how the dynamics of protests and counter-protests affect bystanders’ perceptions. Three narratives of judgment were identified to depict sequences capturing the development of these attitudes. These narratives reflect shared emotional tones that shape the trajectories of individual perceptions. This research contributes to the literature on social movements by demonstrating that the presence of counter-protests can fundamentally alter the emotional landscape and cognitive (moral) judgments of bystanders. It also details the argumentative basis of such changes. Furthermore, it extends the theoretical framework of protest–counter-protest dynamics by showing how these interactions create new emotional fields for identity alignment and public discourse in polarized societies.