Bulgaria passed a ban on LGBTQ "propaganda" in schools, an Australian athlete kissed his boyfriend after an Olympic loss, and Argentina’s government closed an anti-discrimination agency.
Bulgaria Passes Ban On LGBTQ ‘Propaganda’ In Schools
The Bulgarian Parliament has approved an anti-LGBTQ law that prohibits “propaganda [of] non-traditional sexual orientation and/or gender identity other than the biological one” in schools.
According to Pink News, the amendment outlaws the “propaganda, promotion or incitement in any way, directly or indirectly in the education system” and now defines “non-traditional sexual orientation” as “different from the generally accepted and established notions in the Bulgarian legal tradition of emotional, romantic, sexual or sensual attraction between persons of opposite sexes.”
Queer rights groups say that Bulgaria is following in Russia’s footsteps by passing this legislation.
Denitsa Lyubenova, a Deystvie lawyer, said the new law “implicitly foreshadows a witch-hunt and sanctions any educational efforts related to LGBTQ people in school.”
Athlete Kisses Boyfriend After Olympic Loss
Campbell Harrison and his boyfriend. Photo via campbell_harrison547, Instagram.
Campbell Harrison, an Australian climber, kissed his boyfriend, Justin, in open defiance of hate fueled messages from homophobic trolls. The hateful comments have been directed towards Harrison since he qualified to compete in the Olympic Games.
According to Pink News, Harrison tied for 19th with a score of 9.4, and did not advance into the final.
At one time, the comments about Harrison were so negative that the official Olympics Instagram account released a statement asking people to keep the community positive.
“It’s homophobes and bigots that should feel unwelcome in sport. Not me. Not Justin. Not queer people just trying to live our lives without having to lie about and hide who we are,” said Harrison.
Argentina’s Gov’t Closes Anti-Discrimination Agency
President Javier Milei. Photo by Haim Zach, via Wikimedia Commons.
The government in Argentina is facing backlash after President Javier Milei announced that the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism (INADI) is officially closed.
According to the Washington Blade, INADI was created in 1995 and served as a key player in the promotion and protection of human rights in Argentina. The agency offered support and resources to people affected by discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and other characteristics.
“One of President Milei’s ideals is the reduction of the state and the elimination of everything that does not generate a benefit for Argentines,” said presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni when he announced INADI’s closure.
Adorni continued, “The decision was made to move forward in the dismantling of different institutes that effectively serve absolutely no purpose or are big boxes of politics or places to generate militant employment, and the first of them is going to be INADI.”
This decision is being heavily critiqued by human rights organizations and LGBTQ activist groups. Now, activists are asking the government to clarify how they will guarantee queer rights in the future and whether alternative outlets will be created to handle discrimination complaints.
