Bulgaria: Law banning 'LGBTQ+ propaganda' in schools

Bulgaria: Law banning ‘LGBTQ+ propaganda’ in schools

New Anti-LGBTQ+ Law in Bulgaria: Opponents Call on the EU to Take Action

Bulgaria has officially enacted a controversial law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda” in schools, after President Rumen Radev declined to veto the bill last Thursday.

An Amendment to the Education Code Pushed by the Far Right

This amendment to Bulgaria’s Education Code was introduced by the pro-Russian far-right party, Revival. Surprisingly, the bill was also supported by pro-European parties. It bans the “propaganda, promotion, or incitement” of LGBTQ+ “ideas and opinions” in schools, without providing further details. The bill was widely adopted by parliament on August 7, triggering protests across the country, with the most recent demonstration occurring in front of the presidential palace.

Reactions from LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy Groups

LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy organizations strongly opposed this legislation. Rémy Bonny, Executive Director of Forbidden Colours, an LGBTQ+ rights support group, stated, “This law is not just a Bulgarian issue — it is a Russian law that has found its way to the heart of Europe.” He urged the European Commission to hold Bulgaria accountable for this law.

Leaders of the LGBTI Intergroup in the European Parliament also expressed their disapproval. Co-chairs Kim van Sparrentak from the Netherlands and Marc Angel from Luxembourg described the law as a “direct attack on the LGBTIQ+ community, especially children.” They warned that such legislation could create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ youth, increasing the risks of harassment, bullying, and health problems.

Involvement of the European Commission

The European Commission has taken note of the situation. Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli sent a letter on August 13 to Bulgaria’s Minister of Education and Science, Galin Tsokov, seeking clarification on this new legislation. A Commission spokesperson reaffirmed their commitment to combating discrimination and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the importance of education in their LGBTIQ equality strategy from November 2020.

Mobilization of Human Rights Groups

Numerous human rights organizations, including Action, Buditelkite, Forbidden Colours, LevFem, Feminist Mobilizations, and Deystvie, have condemned this law. Their petition calling on President Radev to oppose the amendment gathered approximately 7,000 signatures. Academics also expressed their opposition through an open letter.

The Revival Party Celebrates the Law’s Adoption

Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Revival Party, hailed the law as a “historic breakthrough,” claiming that “LGBT propaganda is anti-human and will not be accepted in Bulgaria.” The country does not recognize same-sex marriage and has yet to ratify the Istanbul Convention aimed at combating violence against women.

A Broader European Context

Bulgaria’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights is among the worst in the European Union. According to ILGA-Europe, an LGBTQ+ rights organization, Bulgaria ranked third from the bottom in 2024, ahead of only Romania and Poland. This new law is reminiscent of similar legislation passed in Russia and Hungary, while the Georgian government is also considering a comparable bill.

The Bulgarian government, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Prime Minister’s office, has yet to officially respond to the growing criticism.

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