LGBTQIA+ people in Bulgaria are facing a severe threat. On August 7, 2024, the Bulgarian National Assembly passed a law that redefines "non-traditional sexual orientation," effectively criminalizing the discussion and promotion of LGBTQIA+ identities in schools. This law contradicts Bulgaria’s own Protection Against Discrimination Act, which recognizes heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations, and was pushed through by the far-right pro-Kremlin party Vazrazhdane ("Renaissance").

In a further alarming development, members of the disbanded "Velichie" group proposed harsh penalties for those who defy this ban, including fines and the potential loss of professional licenses for up to two years. This law is not just an attack on the LGBTQIA+ community in Bulgaria, but a part of a disturbing global resurgence of neo-fascist, anti-queer, and anti-trans ideologies. We urge you to use your influence to pressure Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to veto this dangerous law before the August 22 deadline.

This legislation comes at a time when Bulgaria is experiencing a horrifying wave of femicides and is likely to exacerbate the ongoing exodus of young people from the country. It also flies in the face of Bulgaria’s rich cultural history, which has long embraced diverse expressions of gender and sexuality.

We call on you to condemn this discriminatory law, which is a significant setback for human rights in Bulgaria and sends a chilling message to LGBTQIA+ communities everywhere that the very foundations of democracy and human rights are under attack.