LGBT Rights in Šumen
Region

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History

Homosexual activity in Šumen

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Homosexual activity in Šumen is legal.

Current status
Since May 1, 1968
Legal
Since 1968, homosexual activity in Bulgaria had been legal
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Mar 13, 1951–May 1, 1968
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Up to 3 years imprisonment
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May 1, 1896–Mar 13, 1951
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
At least 6 months imprisonment
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Same-sex marriage in Šumen

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Same-sex marriage in Šumen is banned.

Current status
Since Jul 12, 1991
Banned
Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Bulgaria has recognized one gay marriage because of a court ruling, and only one being recognized does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.

Censorship of LGBT issues in Šumen

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Šumen is state-enforced.

Current status
Since Aug 15, 2024
State-enforced
On August 7th, the Bulgarian parliament passed a law prohibiting so-called 'LGBT propaganda' in schools. The parliament vote 135 for, 57 against. The bill took effect on August 15th after the president signed the bill into law the previous day.
Nov 16, 1990–Aug 15, 2024
No censorship
After the fall of communism in Bulgaria but before the adoption of a homophobia censorship law in 2024 there was no censorship of LGBT issues by the Bulgarian government.
Until Nov 15, 1990
State-enforced
During the communist era in Bulgaria, which lasted from 1946 to 1990, the government promoted a highly controlled and regulated society, which extended to matters related to LGBT rights. Homosexuality was criminalized under Article 157 of the Bulgarian Penal Code, which remained in place until 1968.

During this time, discussions or expressions of LGBT-related topics were generally suppressed, and any attempt to advocate for LGBT rights could face censorship and persecution by the government. This was part of the broader censorship and control exerted by the communist regime over various aspects of society, including the media, literature, and public discourse.
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Right to change legal gender in Šumen

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Right to change legal gender in Šumen is illegal.

Current status
Since Feb 21, 2023
Illegal
In February 2023, the starkly split (28-21) Highest Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents.
Oct 16, 2009–Feb 21, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
In 2009, the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act was amended to provide for a possibility of "changing sex" in identification documents but did not provide any requirements specified nor who could issue such documents. However, in practice, sterilisation and surgery were often required.

Gender-affirming care in Šumen

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Gender-affirming care in Šumen is legal.

Current status
Legal under federal Bulgaria law
There is little available information about gender-affirming care in Bulgaria. However, all restrictions seem to be practical and not legal but transphobia is still rampant and there have been attempts to ban gender-affirming care for minors. However, the ban was rejected in 2024.
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Šumen

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Šumen is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary options missing
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LGBT discrimination in Šumen

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LGBT discrimination in Šumen is illegal.

Current status
Since 2023
Illegal
Discrimination in bulgaria is illegal. Recently Bulgaria has stepped up against anti lgbtq discrimination with new legislation

LGBT employment discrimination in Šumen

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LGBT employment discrimination in Šumen is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Mar 25, 2015
Sexual orientation and gender identity under federal Bulgaria law
In 2015, Bulgaria approved an amendment to the Protection from Discrimination Act that included gender reassignment as a protected characteristic.

LGBT housing discrimination in Šumen

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LGBT housing discrimination in Šumen is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since 2023
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Bulgaria has recently been stepping up against lgbtq+ discrimination. Widely supported legislation
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Same-sex adoption in Šumen

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Same-sex adoption in Šumen is single only.

Current status
Single only
Same-sex couples are banned from adopting in Bulgaria. However, single individuals regardless of sexual orientation are allowed to adopt, though requests from single men are rarely accepted. Lesbian couples do not have access to IVF and artificial insemination, as it is only available to married opposite-sex couples. Nevertheless, since 2004, single lesbian women have had access to IVF.
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Intersex infant surgery in Šumen

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Intersex infant surgery in Šumen is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no official ban on unnecessary sex reassignment operations in infants in Bulgaria.
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Serving openly in military in Šumen

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Serving openly in military in Šumen is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Current status
Since Aug 1, 2004
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Only 22 Countries allow transgender service Bulgaria is not one of them.
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Blood donations by MSMs in Šumen

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Blood donations by MSMs in Šumen is legal with restrictions.

Current status
Legal with restrictions
Gay and bisexual men are not explicitly banned from donating blood in Bulgaria. However, the blood donor application form, required prior to any blood donation, does not ask the applicant to disclose that information, rather requires them to confirm that they did not partake in practices (sexual included) that increase the risk of HIV or other STIs. The consent form is detailed in an ordinance issued by Bulgaria's Ministry of Healthcare on 19 July 2004.
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Conversion therapy in Šumen

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Conversion therapy in Šumen is not banned.

Current status
Not banned under federal Bulgaria law
Conversion therapy in Bulgaria is not banned.
Sources:
rainbow-europe.org/#8626/0/0

(not directly linked to conversion therapy, but show cases the conservative attitude)
www.ilga-europe.org/blog/da…
www.euronews.com/my-europe/…
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Equal age of consent in Šumen

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Equal age of consent in Šumen is equal.

Current status
Since May 1, 1968
Equal under federal Bulgaria law
The age of consent is 14 for both heterosexual and homosexual intercourse.
Sources:
fra.europa.eu/en/publicatio… www.ageofconsent.net/world/…
"A person who performs an act for the purpose of arousing or satisfying sexual desire, without copulation, with a person under 14 years of age, shall be punished for lewdness by imprisonment for up one to six years.

— Article 149
(1) A person who has sexual intercourse with a person who has not completed the age of 14 years, insofar as the act does not constitute a crime under Article 152, shall be punished by imprisonment for two to six years.
(2) Anyone who has sexual intercourse with a person who has reached 14 years of age and who does not understand the nature or meaning of the act, shall be punished by imprisonment for up to five years.

— Article 151"
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