EU anti-LGBTQ+ laws signal Russia’s cultural war gains

On August 7, 2023, Bulgaria's Parliament passed an amendment banning the dissemination of 'non-traditional sexual orientations' and gender identities to minors, following similar legislation in Lithuania and Hungary. This move aligns with Russia's cultural war strategy, which has seen the Kremlin influence anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments across various regions, including the Caucasus and Central Asia. The Bulgarian law mirrors Russian legislation introduced in 2013, which has since expanded to include adults amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The rise of such laws in Europe reflects a broader trend of ultraconservative movements gaining traction, often fueled by pro-Russian parties. The far-right Vazrazhdane party, which proposed the amendment, exemplifies this shift, as it holds pro-Russian views. The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has called for a presidential veto, but the amendment is set to take effect, indicating a disregard for international human rights standards. This legislative trend is not isolated; similar laws have been enacted in countries like Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with ongoing efforts in Georgia and Lebanon. The Kremlin's influence extends through various means, including the use of mercenaries and pro-Iranian militias, to promote an anti-Western agenda that seeks to undermine liberal democracies. The implications of these laws are significant, as they represent a backlash against LGBTQ+ rights and gender freedoms, threatening decades of progress. The convergence of ultraconservative ideologies and Kremlin-backed subversion poses a challenge to the values of sexual freedom and human rights in Europe and beyond.