LGBT rights in Bulgaria
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Bulgaria face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex relationships are legal in Bulgaria, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned since 2004, with discrimination based on "gender change" being outlawed since 2015.[citation needed] In July 2019, a Bulgarian court recognized a same-sex marriage performed in France in a landmark ruling.[3] For 2020, Bulgaria was ranked 37 of 49 European countries for LGBT rights protection by ILGA-Europe.[4] Like most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, post-Communist Bulgaria holds socially conservative attitudes when it comes to such matters as homosexuality and transgender people. [5]
LGBT rights in Bulgaria | |
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Status | Legal from 1858 (as part of the Ottoman Empire) to 1879 Legal since 1968, age of consent equalized in 2002 |
Gender identity | Transgender individuals not allowed to change their legal gender due to a supreme court ruling in 2023[1][2] |
Military | Homosexual men, women, and bisexual people are allowed to serve |
Discrimination protections | Protections in all areas since 2004 and 2015 (see below) |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex relationships |
Restrictions | Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned |
Adoption | Single LGBT individuals can adopt |