CALL TO ACTION - Solidarity with Queer Bulgaria: Mobilization June 2009

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 this 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. If you cannot attend the march please do the following:

* Issue a public statement of Solidarity with the Bulgarian LGBTQ
community;
* Contact the Bulgarian Consulates
* Contact the Bulgarian President and Bulgarian Prime Minister
* Contact the Mayor of Sofia
* Contact GEMINI to express solidarity and offer support
(sofiagaypride2009 (at) gmail.com
* Inform your family, friends, and co-workers of ways they can support
the Bulgarian LGBTQ community.

International Queer Solidarity Network
More Info: iqsn@riseup.net
Web: www.iqsn.org
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