On Wednesday 7 August, Bulgaria’s parliament passed a new law banning “propaganda, promoting or inciting” of LGBTQ+ “ideas and views” in education at schools. The law was brought forward by Vazrazhdane, the far-right Bulgarian political party, and supported by pro-European Union parties.
The new law follows similar legislation in Hungary and Russia. It passed in the Bulgarian Parliament by a large majority – 159 votes were cast in favour, 22 against and 13 abstained.
As a result of the new amendments, it is now unlawful to promote a “non-traditional sexual orientation”, which the legislation defines as being against Bulgaria’s traditional legal conception of "emotional, romantic, sexual or sensual attraction between persons of opposite sexes". The education system also must not encourage any “gender identity other than biological”. The parties that supported the law and pushed for its quick progress claimed that LGBTQ+ views are being normalised in the Bulgarian education system, with Kostadin Kostadinov, the chairman of Vazrazhdane saying “LGBT propaganda is anti-human and won’t be accepted in Bulgaria.”
Before the new legislation was introduced, Bulgaria was rated third in 2024 just behind Romania and Poland concerning poor LGBTQ+ rights protections by ILGA-Europe, the LGBTQ+ advocacy group. The introduction has sparked controversy, with many rights groups protesting and condemning the law, calling for the President to use his powers to veto the changes.
Expressing their concerns, Forbidden Colours, the European LGBTQ+ rights group called the law “a direct assault on the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly children.”
The legislation can be read here.