VARNA, Bulgaria – Bulgarian teachers have reported receiving threats after signing a petition opposing a recent law that bans “LGBT propaganda” in schools. Many educators are attributing these threats to the far-right Revival party, which spearheaded the legislation.
Revival’s leader, Kostadin Kostadinov, announced on August 22 his intention to file a report with the Prosecutor’s Office against educators who have opposed the new law.
Controversial Law Sparks Protests Across Bulgaria
The law, passed on August 7 with support from pro-European parties, has ignited protests in Sofia and other cities. The amendment to the education code prohibits “propaganda, promotion, or incitement” of LGBT ideas in schools, but does not provide further specifics.
Pro-reform groups, including the We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, are working to repeal the legislation, which critics compare to anti-LGBT laws in Russia and Hungary. These laws have been condemned by international institutions for violating European human rights standards.
Bulgaria’s Struggle With LGBT Rights
Bulgaria remains one of the few EU countries that does not offer equal rights to people of different sexual orientations. The European Court of Human Rights has mandated that Bulgaria create a legal framework for recognizing same-sex relationships, a requirement that Sofia has yet to fulfill.
The LGBT community in Bulgaria frequently faces both verbal and physical threats. One notable incident was a 2021 attack on an LGBT center in Sofia.
Teachers in Varna Under Threat
Around 460 teachers and education professionals signed a petition calling for the repeal of the law. In Varna, approximately 20 educators have reported being targeted by Revival’s local branch, including online harassment on platforms like Facebook. Martin Stoyanov, a school psychologist in Varna, described receiving a message from a concerned teacher who had been threatened.
Stoyanov noted, “At some point we’re becoming a country where it’s dangerous to express your opinion.”
On August 21, the Facebook page of Revival’s Varna branch published a “black list” of educators who signed the petition, labeling them as “parasites.” The following day, Kostadinov escalated the situation by stating that he would report 800 teachers to the Prosecutor’s Office, accusing them of promoting “homosexual propaganda.”
Local Support for Threatened Teachers
Despite the threats, the targeted teachers have received widespread support. Varna’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, publicly expressed his backing on Facebook and encouraged educators to reach out if they felt threatened.
Pavel Popov, Varna’s deputy mayor in charge of education, criticized Revival’s actions as “repressive” against Bulgarian teachers. Stella Nikolova, a National Assembly member from Varna, also condemned the threats in a Facebook post, urging institutions to protect citizens’ rights and hold the political group accountable.
Petition Against the Law Gains Traction
Multiple petitions have been circulated opposing the vaguely defined changes to the education code. One such petition, which gathered nearly 460 signatures, was led by Boris Iliev, a literature teacher in Sofia.
Iliev emphasized the importance of the petition, stating, “We have authentic arguments against the changes because our work depends on this law.” He also expressed concern for colleagues who have faced threats.
Denislava Nikolaeva, a concerned parent, was shocked to find her son’s teacher listed on Revival’s social media post.
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