Bulgaria - August 2024

On 7 August, Parliament approved an amendment to the Law on Pre-School and School Education, banning the "promotion or encouragement, directly or indirectly, of ideas related to nontraditional sexual orientation or gender identity different from biological sex." The amendment, which is expected to impact the educational process and classroom discussions, was proposed by the Revival party and was supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the centre-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party. The amendment lacks clear penalties and definitions of which “ideas and views” are unlawful. Rights groups condemned the law, comparing it to Russia's LGBTQIA+ propaganda law and calling it an attack on equality and children's rights. Despite a petition from over 6,000 people and 70 organizations urging a veto, President Rumen Radev signed the amendment into law on 15 August. Protests followed in Sofia, with around 2,000 opposing the law, including MPs, and about 500 in support, demanding stricter measures.

Sources: Bulgarian Parliament, Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Politico, Euronews, ILGA-Europe