The president of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, has signed into law a contentious set of amendments to the Pre-school and School Education Act. Proposed by the pro-Russian Vazrazhdane Party, the amendments have been widely criticized for their anti-LGBTQ+ stance, particularly by human rights groups and the LGBTQ+ community. The legislation prohibits any form of “propaganda, promotion, or incitement” related to non-traditional sexual orientations within the educational system. This terminology, as defined in the law, refers to any sexual orientation that deviates from what is considered “generally accepted” in Bulgaria’s legal traditions—essentially targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
This legislative move has drawn comparisons to similar laws in Russia and Hungary, both of which have been condemned by international human rights organizations for violating European human rights standards. In Bulgaria, the law’s passage through parliament saw widespread protests, with hundreds gathering outside government buildings in Sofia. Protestors, carrying Pride flags and signs with slogans like “silence = death” and “cis-heteronormativity = propaganda,” made it clear that they see this law as a direct attack on their community.
LGBTQ+ rights organizations, such as Deystvie, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that the law opens the door to a “witch-hunt” against any educational content related to LGBTQ+ issues. Despite these concerns and the appeals from academics and human rights advocates, President Radev proceeded to sign the law, effectively institutionalizing discrimination in Bulgaria’s schools. The international community, including the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, has expressed deep concern over this development, warning that it represents a significant step backward for LGBTQ+ rights in Bulgaria and Europe at large.
