Bulgarians continue to reject homosexuality
New research has highlighted the extent of homophobia in Bulgaria.
A poll released today found that 80% of Bulgarians have negative attitudes to gays and lesbians.
70% would not allow their child to be educated by a gay teacher and 50% would not work with a homosexual.
The poll “was presented at a roundtable in Sofia dedicated to sexuality issues and AIDS and HIV prevention,” according to Bulgarian news service novinite.com.
The study revealed that 59% are “extremely homophobic.”
Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the 1960s, the age of consent was equalised in 2002 and anti-discrimination laws have been in place since 2003.
Gay rights group Gemini’s website claims the country has some of the best anti-discrimination legislation in Europe.
At Sofia Pride in June a heavy police presence ensured there were no injuries to the 150 participants.
More than 60 skinheads and rightwing nationalists were arrested and a homophobic mob threw petrol bombs, squid and stones.
150 police, some in armoured police vehicles, managed to keep order.
A survey of 27,000 people released in July by the European Union found that 51% overall thought sexual orientation discrimination was widespread in their country,
Only 20% of Bulgarians thought it was, the lowest score out of the 27 EU nations.
The UK was just below the average among the 27 EU nations, with 50% thinking discrimination against gay, bisexual and lesbian people is widespread.
Just 1% of Bulgarians said they had seen discrimination against gay people. 6% is the EU average.
