Bulgaria Bans Non-Traditional Sexual Orientations in Schools

The Bulgarian parliament passed an amendment to the Education Act banning the promotion of 'non-traditional' sexual relations and gender identities in schools, sparking significant backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and EU rights organizations. The amendment, supported by nationalist and several centrist parties, prohibits the 'propaganda, popularization, and incitement' of non-heterosexual orientations and identities, drawing comparisons to similar Russian legislation. Protests erupted outside the parliament, with demonstrators condemning the move as an attack on children's rights and an alignment with far-right populism. Proponents claim the law is necessary to protect traditional values and oppose what they view as harmful ideologies. The lack of clarity in the law regarding what constitutes unlawful ideas raises concerns about its implementation and potential misuse.