The International Queer Solidarity Network (IQSN) and AnarchoResistance, Sofia, are calling on all anarchists and anti-fascists to stand in solidarity with the Bulgarian Queer community this 27th, June 2009.
On June 28, 2008, the 39th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in NYC, USA, the Bulgarian queer community marched in celebration and for their survival in a country stricken with fascism and were aggressively attacked by the neo-Nazis who threw Molotov cocktails and small explosives at the parade. The fascist Bulgarian National Union called for a „Week of Intolerance“ and for nationalist groups to organize themselves against the queer community in order to prevent the Pride march. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, however more than eighty skinheads were arrested for their attacks upon queer people and allies.
This year, in the face of extreme repression, Bulgarian queers are preparing to march again in defiance of fascism and bigotry and in celebration of their lives. While last year the Nazis were factional and small in number, this year the different nationalist parties are working together to maximize their attack on the march. Nationalist parties in Bulgaria are growing quickly. One of the Parliament members of one of these parties, ATAKA, has already called publicly for „the men to beat up the gays“ and other nationalist parties are taking similar stands. Now more than ever, it is important that the international anti-fascist community must stand next to Bulgarian queers and all Bulgarian people and support their right to self-determination and safety.
AnarchoResistance, Sofia and IQSN are calling for an anti-fascist mobilization to support queer people in Bulgaria at this years Pride march on June 27th, 2009. Last year 150 fascists were present; we can only expect more this year. We are calling for a diversity of tactics with respect to the long-term needs of the queers in Bulgaria. For more information on the history and mobilization, please go to www.iqsn.org.
IQSN is also calling for queers around the world to form local collectives and join this new international network to further the global struggle for universal liberation.
Because Queer Knows No Borders–
International Queer Solidarity Network
www.iqsn.org
iqsn[at]riseup.net
aresistance[at]riseup.net
sofiagaypride2009[at]gmail.com