Bulgarian parliament enacts ban on LGBTQ+ 'propaganda' in schools

On Wednesday, August 7, Bulgaria's parliament approved a controversial amendment to the education law that prohibits LGBTQ+ so-called “propaganda" in schools. The measure received strong support, passing with a vote of 159 in favor, 22 against, and 12 abstentions, despite significant opposition from human rights organizations.

The new legislation, introduced by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party, makes it illegal to "propagate, promote, or incite" any ideas related to non-traditional sexual orientations or gender identities different from biological ones within the education system. This move has drawn comparisons to a similar law enacted in Hungary in 2021, which also restricts LGBTQ+ discussions aimed at minors.

Additionally, lawmakers established a definition of "non-traditional sexual orientation" as any orientation that deviates from what is traditionally accepted in Bulgarian law, specifically regarding emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction between opposite sexes.

Following the vote, protests erupted in Sofia, with demonstrators chanting phrases like "Shame on you" and "Stop chasing people out of Bulgaria." Among the protesters was Sanya Kovacheva, a 35-year-old architect, who accused politicians of utilizing disinformation and promoting hatred against the LGBTQ+ community ahead of the upcoming elections in October. The left-wing feminist group LevFem, which organized the rally, expressed concerns that the amendment would hinder efforts to address harassment of LGBTQ+ youth in schools.

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC), a human rights NGO, had previously urged parliament not to endorse the legislation, arguing that it violates fundamental human rights, including those protected by the Bulgarian constitution, EU laws, and international agreements. Lawyer Denitsa Lyubenova from the Deystvie LGBTQ+ rights group criticized the bill as "discriminatory," stating that it signals the potential for a witch hunt against educational initiatives related to LGBTQ+ individuals.

Rights advocates plan to continue protesting against the amendment. A recent report by the Institute for Market Economics highlighted that discrimination and rejection are significant contributors to the emigration of LGBTQ+ people from Bulgaria, where homophobic rhetoric is prevalent in political discourse and the media. The country currently does not recognize same-sex marriage and is facing its seventh parliamentary election in just over three years amidst ongoing political turmoil.