The amendment to the law passed by a large majority this month. It bans the “propaganda, promotion or incitement in any way, directly or indirectly, in the education system of ideas and views related to non-traditional sexual orientation and/or gender identity other than the biological one”.
The UN human rights office urged Bulgaria to reconsider the move.
“We are deeply concerned by the signing into law of a legislative amendment in Bulgaria prohibiting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and urge for it to be reconsidered in line with the country’s international human rights obligations,” spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said in a statement.
“Addressing stigma and disinformation is critical to promoting acceptance and tolerance, and to building inclusive societies that respect and uphold the human rights of all.”
She said the amendment would only deepen human rights violations against LGBTQ people and bullying and harassment in schools.
“It also flies in the face of Bulgaria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights treaty commitments to ensure equality, non-discrimination and freedom of expression,” Throssell said.
“It is crucial that the Bulgarian authorities take urgent steps to prevent and combat violence, discrimination and bullying, particularly against LGBT youth and within the education system.”
In 2021, Hungary passed a similar law, banning LGBTQ “promotion” to minors.
In recent weeks, a petition sparked controversy in Luxembourg as it sought to exclude LGBTQ+ topics from the school curriculum for minors. Shortly afterwards, a counter-petition was launched to strengthen education around the topic in schools. Both petitions collected sufficient signatures to qualify for a debate in the Chamber of Deputies.
Luxembourg’s Ministry of Education said that LGBTQ+ was “not explicitly mentioned in Luxembourg school programmes”, while education minister Claude Meisch commented that “school must prepare kids for real life” when asked for his reaction to the petition.
