Tens of thousands march at Pride events in Romania and Bulgaria to demand equality

Article excerpt

Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies marched at Pride events across Romania and Bulgaria, demanding legal recognition and equality in countries that remain outliers within the European Union. Despite EU rules prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, neither Romania nor Bulgaria recognizes same-sex marriage or civil partnerships, a legal gap that leaves LGBTQ+ couples without inheritance rights, hospital visitation authority, or adoption protections available to heterosexual spouses. The marches underscore deepening tensions between Eastern European nations and Brussels over LGBTQ+ rights, even as Pride celebrations have grown larger and more visible in cities like Bucharest and Sofia.