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LGBT Rights in Bulgaria

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✔ Illegal
    Employment Discrimination
    ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
    Housing Discrimination
    ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
    Adoption
    ✖ Single only
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    ✔ Legal
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data

Public Opinion

Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors ?

Ranked #58 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(59.6%) Mentioned homosexuals
Did not mention homosexuals (30.7%)

Justifiability of homosexuality ?

Ranked #54 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(65.8%) Not justifiable
Justifiable (7.1%)

Opinion on same-sex couples as parents ?

Ranked #54 out of 74 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(59.7%) Disagree
Agree (10.1%)

"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2019) ?

Ranked #25 out of 34 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
(48%) No
Yes (32%)

Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union) ?

Ranked #5 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(23%) Widespread
Rare (40%)

Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union) ?

Ranked #28 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(71%) Disagree
Agree (20%)

Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union) ?

Ranked #5 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(29%) Widespread
Rare (45%)

Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union) ?

Ranked #27 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(60%) No
Yes (12%)

Support for same-sex marriage in Central and Eastern Europe ?

Ranked #8 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(79%) Oppose
Favor (18%)

"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2016, Eastern/Central Europe) ?

Ranked #6 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(61%) No
Yes (31%)

By The Numbers

61%
of Orthodox Christians support the Church's position on refusing to perform same-sex marriages
30%
oppose

History

Homosexual activity in Bulgaria

?

Homosexual activity in Bulgaria is legal.

Current status
Since May 1, 1968
Legal
Since 1968, homosexual activity in Bulgaria had been legal
Added by brennen  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Mar 13, 1951–May 1, 1968
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Up to 3 years imprisonment
Added by brennen  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

May 1, 1896–Mar 13, 1951
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
At least 6 months imprisonment
Added by brennen  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Bulgaria

?

Same-sex marriage in Bulgaria is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.

Current status
Since Jul 25, 2019
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage, but it is a limited recognition.
Added by brennen  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Bulgaria

?

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Bulgaria is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Bulgaria, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Added by equaldex  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Bulgaria

?

Right to change legal gender in Bulgaria is illegal.

Current status
Since Feb 21, 2023
Illegal
Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts.
Added by Markissik  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Feb 21, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
Requires sterilization. Ruled not legal by EU. Changes pending. Missing non binary options on documents.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bulgaria

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bulgaria is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary options missing
Added by Notdog1996  ·  2 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Bulgaria

?

LGBT discrimination in Bulgaria is illegal.

Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Illegal
Added by brennen  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Bulgaria

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Bulgaria is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Bulgaria

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Bulgaria is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Bulgaria

?

Same-sex adoption in Bulgaria is single only.

Current status
Since Oct 2, 2017
Single only
Legalization pending.
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Bulgaria

?

Serving openly in military in Bulgaria is legal.

Current status
Since Aug 1, 2004
Legal
Bulgaria provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the fields of employment, health care, and education, recruitment to the military, housing, accommodation, and a range of services available to the public
Added by vviet93  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Bulgaria

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Bulgaria is legal.

Current status
Legal
No restrictions about gay sex.
Added by Simo  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Bulgaria

?

Conversion therapy in Bulgaria is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy in Bulgaria is not banned.
Added by Markissik  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until -0001
Ambiguous
Unknown.
Sources:
No sources.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Bulgaria

?

Equal age of consent in Bulgaria is equal.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 2002
Equal
Added by Ausyk  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log