BGO GEMINI CAMPAIGNS AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
30/05/2006
Submitted by
Desislava Petrova - BGO Gemini
On 17 May - The International Day Against Homophobia the Bulgarian gay organization Gemini symbolically handed to the Mayor of Sofia Gen. Boyko Borisov the Bulgarian Law for protection against discrimination.
The representatives of the organization expressed gratefulness to the General for welcoming them so promptly and without prejudices and called for the recognition of the Law by placing it on visible and accessible place in the Municipality. They expressed hope that the Mayor will send strong message by his gesture to the other institutions in Bulgaria.
The Municipality Sofia became the first institution to have the Law placed.
The Mayor and the representatives from Gemini discussed the penalties for pedophilia and domestic violence. Gen. Borisov expressed his disappointment for the decreased verdict from 7 to 5 years imprisonment, “while we wanted 20”, he added. The media asked the Mayor if he expects political support from the gay community. “We don’t divide the people by their religion, education or orientation”, he answered.
At 14:30 in the park "Oborishte" was opened the exhibition Cartonifestation of 17 carton people with messages on their chests. On the front entrance of the park the organizers spread the 41-meters long rainbow flag made by couples in the 6 colors of the rainbow. At 20:00 with one-minute silence and candles in the form of ribbon – the symbol of sympathy – the organizers expressed their compassion to the numerous victims of homophobia.
Expect soon the photos and movie from the event on www.bgogemini.org
LAST WEEK BULGARIA'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION has proceeded the case of suspected abuse by Sofia policemen. Officials held Tuesday their first session on the complaint by Ilir Ayeti, member of BGO Gemini. The 22-year-old man said that last October he was arrested and mistreated by police officers in the capital city.
They reportedly insulted and beat up the young man because of his sexuality and because he was of Albanian origin, Ayeti himself claims as cited by Darik radio. The two sides were given a week to possibly reach a compromise. Ayeti and his defense (BGO Gemini) insist that policemen should confess to racial and sexual discrimination, and then the claimant would give up further proceedings. On 29th of May is the second meeting when it is expected that the claimant and defendants would come to agreement.
ON THE SAME DAY - 15TH MAY at 14:30 was also held the first session on the discriminatory decision of Municipality Varna, revealing Municipality's unjustified denial to open information point of BGO Gemini in Varna last summer. Representatives of the Municipality didn't appear on the session and they were sanctioned by default. The position of the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination is that there is sufficient evidences collected to prove that there was discrimination and the ruling shall be passed within 14 days according to the law.
ON 29TH OF MAY WILL BE THE HEARING on the case against newspaper “Duma” which refers to publication from 27 December 2005 in the edition. 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 representatives of the organization expressed gratefulness to the General for welcoming them so promptly and without prejudices and called for the recognition of the Law by placing it on visible and accessible place in the Municipality. They expressed hope that the Mayor will send strong message by his gesture to the other institutions in Bulgaria.
The Municipality Sofia became the first institution to have the Law placed.
The Mayor and the representatives from Gemini discussed the penalties for pedophilia and domestic violence. Gen. Borisov expressed his disappointment for the decreased verdict from 7 to 5 years imprisonment, “while we wanted 20”, he added. The media asked the Mayor if he expects political support from the gay community. “We don’t divide the people by their religion, education or orientation”, he answered.
At 14:30 in the park "Oborishte" was opened the exhibition Cartonifestation of 17 carton people with messages on their chests. On the front entrance of the park the organizers spread the 41-meters long rainbow flag made by couples in the 6 colors of the rainbow. At 20:00 with one-minute silence and candles in the form of ribbon – the symbol of sympathy – the organizers expressed their compassion to the numerous victims of homophobia.
Expect soon the photos and movie from the event on www.bgogemini.org
LAST WEEK BULGARIA'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSION has proceeded the case of suspected abuse by Sofia policemen. Officials held Tuesday their first session on the complaint by Ilir Ayeti, member of BGO Gemini. The 22-year-old man said that last October he was arrested and mistreated by police officers in the capital city.
They reportedly insulted and beat up the young man because of his sexuality and because he was of Albanian origin, Ayeti himself claims as cited by Darik radio. The two sides were given a week to possibly reach a compromise. Ayeti and his defense (BGO Gemini) insist that policemen should confess to racial and sexual discrimination, and then the claimant would give up further proceedings. On 29th of May is the second meeting when it is expected that the claimant and defendants would come to agreement.
ON THE SAME DAY - 15TH MAY at 14:30 was also held the first session on the discriminatory decision of Municipality Varna, revealing Municipality's unjustified denial to open information point of BGO Gemini in Varna last summer. Representatives of the Municipality didn't appear on the session and they were sanctioned by default. The position of the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination is that there is sufficient evidences collected to prove that there was discrimination and the ruling shall be passed within 14 days according to the law.
ON 29TH OF MAY WILL BE THE HEARING on the case against newspaper “Duma” which refers to publication from 27 December 2005 in the edition. 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.
