Network calls for a European mobilization, with support from the United
States, that will stand in solidarity with Queer Bulgaria.
On June 28th 2008, neo-Nazi groups aggressively attacked the first
LGBTQ Pride march in Sofia, Bulgaria.
A week before the march, the
Bulgarian National Alliance, the most visible nationalist organization
in the country, called for a “week of intolerance.” The BNA strongly
encouraged nationalistic groups to organize themselves against the
right of the queer community in Bulgaria to peacefully march, which
resulted in loosely organized violence during the festivities. BNA
members and other neo-Nazis threw molotov cocktails and small
explosives at the participants of the Pride march. Fortunately, no
injuries were reported. However, more than eighty skinheads, including
Boyan Rasate (head of the BNA) were arrested for their attempted harm
and direct violence toward pride participants. This year neo-Nazi groups are once again organizing themselves
against the march and Bulgarian queers’ ability to defend their human
rights. The Bulgarian government not only tolerates but also encourages
such attitudes. Two of the parties in the Parliament of Bulgaria are
nationalistic and one of them, Ataka, called for “the men to beat up
the gays.” In addition, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and head of the
“socialist” party, Sergei Stanishev, subtly, through hidden sparks of
hatred, said that he did not like the “manifestation and demonstration
of such orientations.” Even though the rights of LGBTQ people in Bulgaria are protected
by the constitution, this is yet more empty rhetoric in the hands of
the powerful. The queer community refuses to give up its rights to a
free assembly. There will be another Pride march on the 27th of June
2009. Let’s unite and stand together against the homophobic and
transphobic state of Bulgaria and growing neo-Nazism in Europe.
The International Queer Solidarity Network calls for a European
mobilization, with support from the United States, that will stand in
solidarity with Queer Bulgaria.
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