EU Report Criticizes Bulgaria over Homophobic Attitudes

A European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report on homophopia has criticized Bulgaria for its treatment of Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT).

The report stated that "the fundamental right of LGBT to freedom of assembly has been obstructed" in Bulgaria and four other member states (Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Romania).

Furthermore, it added that calls for improving the rights of LGBT persons have invariably been met with negative responses from some politicians and representatives of religious institutions or groups.

Hate attacks on same sex couples have also occurred in Bulgaria in the last five years. According to the report "Within the last five years attacks of this kind have occurred in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. Such incidents were often accompanied by homophobic public statements or hate speech."

Fourteen EU Member States including Bulgaria do not grant any partnership rights to LGBT persons but three Member States (Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain) have given same-sex couples full marriage rights. The report stated that lack of partnership rights means that same-sex couples lack access to a number of rights and benefits enjoyed by opposite-sex couples.

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