Bulgaria gay rights
Bulgaria’s parliament has ignited widespread condemnation with the passing of a law that bans “LGBTQ+ propaganda” in schools, a move that echoes similar legislation in Russia and Hungary. The law, introduced by the far-right, pro-Russian Revival party, was surprisingly supported by several pro-European Union factions, securing votes in the member parliament.
The legislation, which prohibits the promotion or discussion of “non-traditional sexual orientations” and gender identities that accomplish not align with biological sex, has been labeled as a direct ambush on the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ group. Critics argue that the vague language of the statute leaves it unseal to broad meaning, potentially leading to further marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals in Bulgaria, particularly students.
The reaction from rights groups has been swift and grave. Forbidden Colours, an EU-wide LGBTQ+ rights organization, condemned the law as a blatant assault on human rights, likening Bulgaria&#;s actions to the regressive policies seen in Russia. The European Commission, while aw
Bulgaria: Ban of “LGBTI propaganda” in schools is invade on the entire LGBTI community
Responding to the passing of anti-LGBTI legal amendments to the education statute that ban providing teaching and information about “non-traditional sexual orientation” or “gender identity different from the biological sex” in schools, Nayden Rashkov, Amnesty International Bulgaria’s Director, said:
“These homophobic and transphobic legal amendments will further stigmatize LGBTI people, exposing them to greater discrimination in what is already a hostile environment. Like similar laws passed in Russia, Hungary, Slovakia and Georgia, these amendments will give a emerald light for further discrimination against LGBTI people in Bulgaria.
These homophobic and transphobic legal amendments will further stigmatize LGBTI people, revealing them to greater discrimination in what is already a hostile environment.
Nayden Rashkov, Amnesty International Bulgaria’s Director
“The amendments are an attack on the entire LGBTI group, blatantly violating the rights of students and teachers to receiv
Children attend a math class in Harmanli, southeast of Sofia, Bulgaria January 21, REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov
What’s the context?
Bulgaria joins Russia, Hungary, Georgia and Slovakia in targeting Homosexual population; activists fear more to come
- New law bans teachers from "promoting" LGBTQ+ topics
- Bulgaria's crackdown follows in Russia's footsteps
- Activists fear further erosion of human rights
LONDON - Bulgarians go back to university on Monday under a tough, new anti-LGBTQ+ law, joining a wave of east and main European nations cracking down on gay rights in schools and society at large.
Following similar legislation in Russia, Hungary and Georgia, Bulgaria last month introduced a ban on the "propaganda, promotion, or incitement" of LGBTQ+ topics in all schools.
Slovakia's far-right party has announced plans to present its own ban this month, as LGBTQ+ rights come under increasing fire in parts of the old East Bloc.
For year-old Ivan, a gay teacher in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, this means kicking off the recent academic year with a profound sense of unease.
Unsure what
Human Rights International
Bulgaria – Sofia PrideBulgaria has been a member of the EU since , but still faces considerable challenges in areas including matching rights and rights and acceptance continue to be some of the biggest problems. According to a poll, 51% of Bulgarians agreed that homosexuals should enjoy the same rights as heterosexuals, but only 27% said that there was nothing wrong with a homosexual relationship. And at 17%, Bulgaria has the EU’s lowest acceptance rate for gay marriage.
We have been supporting LGBTI rights in Bulgaria for several years and are especially supportive of the Sofia Pride Parade. Our annual discussion
event has grow a fixture of Celebration Week. “We believe in the power of dialogue and in developing spaces for engagement,” says Liliya Dragoeva,
member of the Sofia Pride organising committee and chairperson of the Deystvie LGBTI Youth Organisation. “This is why our partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation is so valuable tous. In this, our fifth year, we own managed to create a discussion platform that enables theopen exchange o