Guram Kashia
A Georgian football captain who became a national symbol of tolerance after standing against homophobia and leading his country to historic success.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Georgian footballer·Birthday: July 4·Millennials
Biography
Born in Tbilisi in 1987, Guram Kashia’s journey from local clubs to the captain’s armband of the Georgian national team is a story of resilience and quiet leadership. His professional career took him across Europe, from the Netherlands with Vitesse to the American MLS, but his legacy was cemented off the pitch. In 2018, while playing for San Jose Earthquakes, he wore a rainbow captain’s armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, sparking fury back in socially conservative Georgia. He faced death threats and public condemnation but refused to back down, transforming from a steady centre-back into a courageous advocate. This act, for which he later received UEFA’s #EqualGame award, and his pivotal role in captaining Georgia to its first-ever major tournament qualification for Euro 2024, have made him an enduring figure of modern Georgian identity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Guram was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Guram Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Guram's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained the Georgia national football team to its first-ever major tournament qualification for UEFA Euro 2024.
- Awarded the UEFA #EqualGame award in 2019 for wearing a rainbow armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
- Won the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup during his tenure with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
- Earned over 100 caps for the Georgian national team, serving as a long-term captain.
Did You Know?
He was named Georgian Footballer of the Year three times (2012, 2013, 2014).
After his anti-homophobia stance, a street in the Georgian capital Tbilisi was renamed in his honor.
He played alongside American star Landon Donovan for the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.
“I knew it would cause a big reaction, but I never thought it would be so big. I just wanted to show my support.”
