LGBT rights in Bulgaria

LGBT rights in Bulgaria

Location of  Bulgaria  (dark green)

– in Europe  (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union  (light green)  –  [Legend]

Same-sex sexual activity legal?

Legal since 1858 (as part of the Ottoman Empire) and recriminalised in 1878

Legal since 1968,
age of consent equalized in 2002
Gender identity/expression (see below)
Military service Gays, lesbians and bisexuals allowed to serve
Discrimination protections Protections in all areas since 2003 and 2015 (see below)
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships		 No recognition of same-sex relationships.
Restrictions:
 Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned.
Adoption Single LGBT individuals can adopt

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Bulgaria may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Bulgaria, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned since 2003. Gender identity was added to country's anti-discrimination law in 2015.

Bulgaria, like most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, tends to be socially conservative when it comes to such issues as homosexuality.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe
  Marriage
  Foreign marriages recognized
  Other type of partnership
  Unregistered cohabitation
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
----

Before the Liberation

Homosexuality was legalized in 1858 in all parts of Ottoman Empire, so Bulgaria as part of it legalized it too. After the Liberation of Bulgaria, homosexuality was recriminalized.

1878–1968

Following the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the country's own penal code came into force on 1 May 1896, and homosexual acts between males over 16 years of age became punishable by at least 6 months of imprisonment.[1] The Penal Code of 13 March 1951 increased the penalty to up to 3 years in jail.[2] The revised Penal Code of 1 May 1968 removed the sections outlawing homosexual acts.

July 1964 trial

In July 1964, 26 men were arrested and accused of having "perverted homosexual relationships". Some of the arrested were the famous actor Georgi Partsalev and one of the most loved Bulgarian singers, Emil Dimitrov.[3] Experts say that the process was a masquerade for the public so that "people will understand how decadent the Western culture is". In the 1960s, there were a couple of other similar cases which again involved some of Bulgaria's elite.

Later, in 1966, when revising the Penal Code, a group of experts decided that homosexual acts will no longer be considered a crime, since lesbians and gays "are ill people, who shouldn't be punished because of the sufferings they are already going through (due to their illness)".[3] On 1 May 1968, the new Criminal Code came into force and legalized homosexual acts.

Since 2002, the age of consent is 14, regardless of sexual orientation.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Since 1991, the Constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, therefore banning same-sex marriage.[4]

In 2012, on the question if same-sex couples will soon have further rights like the right to marry or adopt children, the former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said: "for something [like this] to happen, society needs to become ready for it."[5]

Discrimination protections

LGBT flag map of Bulgaria

Since 2003, the Protection Against Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination and hate speech on the basis of sexual orientation and in all areas.[6] In 2015, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the law that forbids discrimination of people who have changed their gender.[7] In the upcoming revision of the Criminal Code, hate crimes against LGBT people will be criminalized.[8]

Transgender and intersex rights

The Bulgarian Personal Documents Act, which came into effect on 1 April 1999, was the first law in Bulgaria regulating sex changes.[9] There is no official data of the Bulgarians who have legally changed their gender. When a person undergoes sex reassignment surgery, they must change their passport, driver's license, personal identity document, birth certificate and uniform civil number in order for them to match their new sex. One cannot undergo surgery unless going to a trial and receiving a positive court's decision.[10] However, without undergoing a surgery, a person can't change their legal gender in any official document.[11] There are no laws regulating the sex change procedures, which are mostly done by private clinics at very high prices. A recent Eurobarometer survey found that only 29% of Bulgarians agree with the statement that transgender people should be able to change their civil documents in order to match their inner gender identity.[12]

Since 2015, people who have undergone sex reassignment surgery are protected with an amendment to the 2003 Protection Against Discrimination Act. Transgender people who haven't undergone surgery could use gender from the list of protected grounds. Gender expression and gender identity are not protected by the revised new Penal Code.[13] Among LGBT people, transgender people are the most marginalized. To date, many people in the country think transsexual and transvestite are the same thing.

Intersex persons in Bulgaria are even more marginalized and invisible in the society than the transgender community. To date, most Bulgarians wrongly use the word hermaphrodite rather than the correct term intersex. There is no data of the number of intersex babies born in the country.[14] The standard procedure in a case of an intersex child birth is the removal of the male genitalia, due to the fact that it is an easier operation than the one removing the female genitalia. The parents are rarely informed of the damages this could later cause to the child's gender identity.[14] There are no laws concerning intersex people.

Adoption and parenting

Same-sex couples are banned from adopting in Bulgaria. However, single individuals regardless of sexual orientation are allowed to adopt, though requests from single men are rarely accepted. Lesbian couples do not have access to IVF and artificial insemination, as it is only available to married opposite-sex couples. Nevertheless, since 2004, single lesbian women have had access to IVF.[9]

Military service

Bulgaria's Protection Against Discrimination Act of 2006 protects individuals from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in relation to recruitment to the military.[15]

Public opinion

A 2002 Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that 37% of Bulgarians think homosexuality should be accepted by society, but the 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project survey recorded that acceptance had risen to 39%.[16]

A 2006 European Union poll shows 15% of Bulgarians support same-sex marriage, with 65% opposed to it.[17][18] In 2015, those numbers remained almost the same with 17% supporting same-sex marriage while 68% being against it.[19]

According to a survey carried out in 2007 by the Bulgarian sociological agency Skala 42.4% of Bulgarians would not like having a homosexual friend or colleague. 46% answered that it would be unacceptable if their own child was gay or lesbian.[20] A Eurobarometer survey from 2015 shows that only 9% of Bulgarian parents would accept their child being in a same-sex relationship.[21]

A survey from 2012 shows the number of people who wouldn't like having a homosexual colleague has dropped to 38%. The survey also shows that Bulgarians are more tolerant towards lesbians rather than gay men. 26% of the respondents wouldn't hire a lesbian.[22]

The most recent poll by Pew Research Center published in May 2017 suggests that 18% of Bulgarians are in favor of same-sex marriage, while 79% oppose the idea. Support was higher among Orthodox Christians (19%) and 18–34 year olds (26%), in contrast to Muslims (12%) and people aged 35 and over (15%).[23]

Living conditions

Most of gay life in Bulgaria is primarily set in Sofia. There are gay establishments in Plovdiv, Varna and Blagoevgrad. Outside of the big cities, the subject is a taboo and rarely welcomed or admitted to be relevant or real. As this is still a highly controversial subject in Bulgaria, accurate data can not be obtained due to the unwillingness of some or most persons who identify as LGBT to freely affirm themselves as such out of fear of public persecution, scrutiny or harassment.

Pazardzhik case

In November 2009, the District Council of Pazardzhik voted in favor of Resolution 211, an amendment to the Public Decency Act, forbidding the "public demonstration of sexual or any other orientation."[24] LGBT organizations attacked the decision of the council, saying it was discriminative.[25] In October 2010, the district's Administrative Court struck down the resolution, citing procedural errors in its passing.[26] The court's decision was affirmed on appeal by the Supreme Administrative Court in July 2011.[27]

LGBT rights organizations

The main LGBT rights organization in Bulgaria is LGBT Action (Bulgarian: ЛГБТ Действие). It was founded in 2010 and today is the main organization protecting the rights of LGBT in the country. It is based in Sofia. LGBT Action also organizes the Sofia Pride and group therapies for LGBT youth.

Bilitis (Bulgarian: Билитис) is the second largest LGBT organisation in Bulgaria. Founded in 2004, it protects the rights of lesbians, bisexual women and transgender people. Bilitis has projects around the country.

LGBT Plovdiv (Bulgarian: ЛГБТ Пловдив) is a small LGBT organization based in Plovdiv and the region.

Pride parades

The only pride parade to take place so far in Bulgaria is Sofia Pride. The first parade took place in 2008 and drew about 150 participants, who were attacked with petrol bombs, rocks and glass bottles. More than 60 hooligans were arrested.[28] The pride parades in the following years went on peacefully and started drawing more participants as well as the support of political parties, local businesses and embassies. In 2017, the parade was attended by more than 3,000 participants and supported by 18 diplomatic missions. The pride week also included a film program and an art festival.[29]

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church strongly opposes any forms of manifestation like pride parades, calling them a "sinful demonstration" and the "sin of sodomy".[30] Before the 2012 Sofia Pride, a priest from Sliven said in a newspaper interview that "gays should be beaten with stones".[31]

Parties such as the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the Greens, Bulgarian Left and DSB have supported the parade organizers' right to hold the pride parade, although in 2014, only the Greens and Bulgarian Left sent statements of support to the parade.[32][33] Georgi Kadiev, the former Bulgarian Socialist Party mayoral candidate for Sofia, participated in support of the pride parade in 2011.[34] Some parties, such as the far-right nationalist Ataka party, strongly oppose the pride parades, protesting against them, as well as homosexuality more broadly.[33][35]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Since 1968)
Equal age of consent (Since 2002)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (Since 2003)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services (Since 2003)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) (Since 2003)
Hate crime laws include sexual orientation and gender identity (Pending)
Anti-discrimination laws protecting transgender people (Since 2015)
Same-sex marriage (Constitutional ban since 1991)
Recognition of same-sex couples
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Adoption by single LGBT individuals (Single men are rarely allowed to adopt, no matter the sexual orientation)
IVF for lesbians (Only for married couples)
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve openly in the military (Since 2006)
Right to change legal gender (Since 1999)
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bulgarian Penalty Code of 1896".
  2. ↑ Bulgarian Penalty Code of 1951
  3. 1 2 "СЕКСОЛОГЪТ ТОДОР БОСТАНДЖИЕВ: ЦОЛА ДРАГОЙЧЕВА МОЛИ ТАТО ДА НЕ ГОНИ ГЕЙОВЕТЕ" [Sexologist Todor Bostandjiev: Tsola Dragoycheva pray Tato do not evict gays] (in Bulgarian). Blitz. August 30, 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria - Constitution". National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2014. Matrimony shall be a free union between a man and a woman.
  5. ↑ "Бойко не наднича под юргани" [Boyko does not stare under the quilts]. BGVesti (in Bulgarian). b2b media. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Law for protection against discrimination - in force since 2003".
  7. ↑ "Закон за изменение и допълнение на Закона за защита от дискриминация - Указ №49" [Law amending and supplementing the Protection against Discrimination Act - Decree №49]. State Gazette (in Bulgarian).
  8. ↑ "Преди обед, bTV: Първи детайли около София Прайд 2012" [Interview about the organization of Sofia Pride 2012 and the fight for gay rights in Bulgaria] (in Bulgarian). May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Rainbow Europe: Bulgaria
  10. ↑ "ILGA-Europe 2011 Annual Report - Bulgaria section". Archived from the original on May 17, 2012.
  11. ↑ (in Bulgarian) Forum discussion about transsexuality & sex change Смяна на пола и брак
  12. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2016-02-19. Eurobarometer survey results; pages 66-67
  13. ↑ "Laws being revised by Bulgaria's Justice Ministry; on 09.04.2012 is the new Criminal Code project". Archived from the original on June 1, 2012.
  14. 1 2 "Смяна на пола в България - дискусия в Червената къща" [Discussion about transsexuality and intersex in Bulgaria] (in Bulgarian). November 22, 2012.
  15. ↑ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld - Bulgaria: Situation of homosexuals; protection available to victims of harassment or violence; organizations offering assistance or support to sexual minorities (March 2005 - August 2006)". Refworld.
  16. ↑ "WORLD PUBLICS WELCOME GLOBAL TRADE – BUT NOT IMMIGRATION" (PDF). October 4, 2007.
  17. ↑ "EUROBAROMETER 66 FIRST RESULTS" (PDF). TNS. European Commission. December 2006. p. 80. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage". angusreid. December 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  20. ↑ "The social situation concerning homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in Bulgaria" (PDF). March 2009.
  21. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2016-02-19. Eurobarameter results; page 55
  22. ↑ Angelova, Polina (January 10, 2012). "Българинът не ще гейове и роми за колеги!" [The Bulgarian will not be gay and Romani for colleagues!]. Razkritia (in Bulgarian).
  23. ↑ "Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "ОБЩИНСКИ СЪВЕТ Пазарджик: РЕШЕНИЕ №211". Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Гейове и лесбийки лепят устите си в знак на протест" [Gays and lesbians stick their mouths in protest]. DarikNews.bg (in Bulgarian). March 2, 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Административният съд в Пазарджик отмени чл.14, който дискриминира гейовете" [The Administrative Court in Pazardjik repealed Article 14, which discriminated against gays]. DarikNews.bg (in Bulgarian). November 9, 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Поредна гилотина за вече мъртвия Член 14" [Another guillotine for the already dead Article 14]. Младежка ЛГБТ организация "Действие" (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  28. ↑ About 60 arrested at Bulgaria's first gay parade Reuters
  29. ↑ (in Bulgarian) 3000 КРАСИВИ ХОРА ОЦВЕТИХА СОФИЯ В ЦВЕТОВЕТЕ НА ДЪГАТА
  30. ↑ "Светият Синод атакува предстоящия гей парад в София" [The Holy Synod attacks the upcoming gay parade in Sofia]. Actualno.com (in Bulgarian). June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Отец зове: Пребийте гейовете с камъни" [Father calls: Beat the gays with stones]. vsekiden.com (in Bulgarian). June 12, 2012. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Костов подкрепи гей-парада" [Kostov supported the gay parade] (in Bulgarian). BNews. June 24, 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  33. 1 2 "ILGA-Europe". Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "Bulgaria's Sofia Pride Gay Parade Goes Smoothly, Only 'Family NGO' Protests". Novinite.com. Sofia News Agency. June 18, 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "7th Sofia Pride march blocked by Bulgarian nationalist protesters". Gay Star News. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.