EU Criticizes Bulgaria over Homophobia

Participant takes part in the third annual Gay Pride parade in Sofia, Bulgaria, 26 June 2010, as anti-gay activists hold a banner reading 'Healthy and Peaceful Future" in the background. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria is listed in the Report of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The report has been presented to the members of the European Parliament.

Bulgaria's representation in the report in contradicting. On one hand, the report states the facts that the country's legislation covers discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in all sectors.

It has also been reported that the first Gay Pride Parade in the country, which took place in 2008, was conducted without serious incidents.

On the other hand, in Bulgaria and 11 other EU member states, incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination against LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) was not explicitly defined as constituting a criminal offense.

Bulgaria is also among the 19 EU member states, which would not recognize same-sex marriage if one of the spouses is residing in the country. Even though some of the countries, like Portugal, made some major changes and opened up marriage to same-sex couples, Bulgaria amended its domestic law to define marriage as an opposite-sex institution.

"These developments will have converse repercussions on the free movement of EU citizens who are in a same-sex marriage," the report said.

Other critics towards Bulgaria include the counter-demonstrations against the three pride marches, organized in the country, and the public order regulations from November 2009 by the Bulgarian city of Pazardzhik, which explicitly banned public demonstration and expression of sexual orientation in public places.

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