BGO “Gemini” approached the Bulgarian Commission for protection against discrimination

The Bulgarian gay organisation “Gemini” approached the Bulgarian Commission for protection against discrimination on three key cases. It is expectable that the Commission will pass the resolutions in one month.

Publication in the “Duma” daily

One of the cases refers to publication from 27 December 2005 in the edition of “Duma” newspaper. BGO Gemini considers that there is incitement to discrimination and propagation of hatred and use of abusive language towards homosexual, bisexual and transgender persons in Bulgaria.

The great media influence and the circulated negative tendencies and hatred towards gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons overwhelmed the long years efforts of the organization to establish tolerant attitude to this social group and to confront the prejudices and stereotypes, which play crucial role and often result in discrimination and violence against homosexuals.

We strongly hope the Commission for protection against discrimination will take appropriate and adequate measures in this respective and will send clear message that will not tolerate publications in the Bulgarian media, which conflict to the Law for protection against discrimination!

More information regarding this case:

 The Socialists’ newspaper “Duma” incites to homophobia and hate

Refusal for collaboration from the Varna municipality

The second case refers to discriminatory decision of Municipality Varna, revealing Municipality’s unjustified denial to open information point of the organization in Varna. As a membership-based organization of the homosexual, bisexual and transgender persons, BGO Gemini sustained loses, not only financial, but moral from the actions of the Municipality. The denial of Mr.Yordanov, Mayor of Varna, to allow the opening of an information point disallowed large number of the project’s target group to access information about discrimination and human rights.

As a representative national organization, BGO Gemini considers that the discriminatory actions of the Municipality and the Mayor of Varna led to loses not only to the organization itself, but also to Bulgarian citizens, as this denial of local state authorities is confrontational towards the efforts of all human rights organizations, fighting for equality and dignity for all human beings.

More information regarding this case:
 Varna 2005 - the reaction of Municipality

Police harrasment

Currently the organization is looking forward to the Commission’s resolution on the case of police violence, reported to BGO Gemini by a homosexual man with Albanian origin. The Commission for protection against discrimination was informed about the case at the end of last year.

More information regarding this case:
 Police harrasment in Bulgaria – still an issue to deal with