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Tens of Thousands March in Bucharest and Sofia Pride Parades
LGBTQ+ supporters held annual Pride events in Romania and Bulgaria on June 13, 2026, while conservative groups staged counter-rallies in both capitals.
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Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters marched through Bucharest and Sofia on June 13, 2026, waving colorful flags, blowing whistles, and calling for equality. The events took place against a backdrop of simultaneous anti-LGBTQ+ rallies in both capitals. In Sofia, the “March of the Family” celebrated Christian, patriotic and traditional values.
Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. Ahead of accession, both countries adopted human rights legislation to meet EU standards. The EU prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.
In ILGA-Europe’s 2025 Rainbow Map, Romania and Bulgaria ranked last among all 27 EU countries. Neither country recognizes same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. “We still have a deeply conservative society, with very strong traditional values,” said Alina Purcaru, a writer who attended the Bucharest march.
Vlad Viski, president of the nongovernmental organization MozaiQ, told The Associated Press that marchers sought legalization of civil partnerships. “We are talking about essential rights, such as the right to inheritance, hospital visits, medical decisions, survivor’s pension,” he said.
” The conservative Orthodox Church, which unites some 80% of Bulgarians, expressed disagreement with the ideas and messages of Sofia Pride and blessed the traditional family.
The Progressive Bulgaria party, led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, won the April general election.
