Bulgaria’s parliament passed a law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda” in schools Wednesday, triggering a wave of protests and condemnation from rights groups.
The amendment to the country’s education code, which was introduced by the far-right, pro-Russian Revival party and unexpectedly backed by pro-European Union parties prohibits the “propaganda, promotion, or incitement” of LGBTQ+ “ideas and views” in schools, without specifying further details. It passed by a massive majority, with 159 votes in favor out of the 240-strong parliament.
Protesters took to the streets outside the parliament building in Sofia on Wednesday and Thursday to voice their opposition to the law, according to local media.
Forbidden Colours, an EU-wide LGBTQ+ rights group based in Belgium, condemned the legislation in a statement, calling it “a direct assault on the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly children.”
“It is deeply troubling to see Bulgaria adopting tactics from Russia’s anti-human rights playbook. Such actions are not only regressive but are also in direct contradiction to the values of equality and non-discrimination that the European Union stands for,” they added.
Bulgaria’s law mirrors similar legislation passed in Russia and Hungary in recent years attacking LGBTQ+ rights and quashing LGBTQ+ visibility in schools. Hungary’s law has been challenged in the European Court of Justice by the European Commission, the European Parliament and more than a dozen EU countries.
A Commission spokesperson told POLITICO on Thursday that the EU’s executive body was aware of, but could not comment on, Bulgaria’s law, adding it “remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling discrimination, inequalities and challenges faced by LGBTIQ individuals.”
Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007. It was ranked third worst in the bloc for LGBTQ+ rights protections in 2024, ahead of only Romania and Poland, according to LGBTQ+ advocacy group ILGA-Europe, which evaluates European countries’ LGBTQ+ rights records annually.
Bulgarians are set to head to the polls for the seventh time since 2021, after parties failed to form a stable government following the most recent election in June.
